India rules out any role for a third party in India-Pakistan ties

New Delhi, Nov.18 (ANI): As the U.S. President Barack Obama and Chinese President Hu Jintao on Tuesday expressed their support for improvement in India-Pakistan ties and their readiness to promote peace and stability in the South Asia region, India on Wednesday stressed on resolving all pending issues with Pakistan bilaterally.

"Government of India is committed to resolving all outstanding issues with Pakistan through a peaceful bilateral dialogue in accordance with the Simla Agreement. A third country role cannot be envisaged nor is it necessary," said Ministry of External Affairs official spokesman in reply to a query on US-China Joint Statement made on Nov.17:

India reiterated that a meaningful dialogue with Pakistan could take place in an environment, which is free from terror threat.

"We also believe that a meaningful dialogue with Pakistan can take place only in an environment free from terror or the threat of terror," the MEA spokesperson added. (ANI)