Resumption of composite dialogue with Pakistan still distant: Sources

New Delhi, Feb.7 (ANI): Foreign secretary-level talks between India and Pakistan, which are expected to take place here, will not lead to a resumption of the bilateral composite dialogue.

According to sources, terrorism will remain the focus of the proposed talks. Other issues related to maritime security, consular services and confidence building may also be discussed during the proposed meeting in Delhi.

India has proposed two dates for the talks. Sources told ANI that New Delhi wants the dialogue to take place on either 18th February or 25th February. Pakistan is yet to revert back on these proposed dates.

Islamabad has been pressing for a resumption of the composite dialogue that was suspended immediately after the 26/11 terror attack on Mumbai. India, however, is keen on moving step by step towards what it refers to as an eventual meaningful dialogue.he last and fifth round of the composite dialogue was held in July 2008.India has consistently been urging Pakistan to take concrete steps to bring the plotters and perpetrators of 26/11 to book and to dismantle the terror infrastructure on its soil.

Sources here believe India has exerted enough pressure on Pakistan, driving home the point that Pakistan is a fountainhead of terrorism.

India is of the view that its stand of not engaging with Pakistan on a regular basis post-26/11 has been vindicated. Islamabad, New Delhi feels is on the backfoot and needs to show conclusively that it is serious about acting against terror elements operating from its soil.

Indian Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao had proposed a dialogue with her Pakistani counterpart Salman Bashir over phone. Sources say India wants to open the dialogue process with Pakistan because it believes Islamabad has taken some positive steps in the recent past on the criminal investigation of culprits behind 26/11.

New Delhi, however, remains concerned about the increased ceasefire violations, the presence of the terror infrastructure in Pakistan and its nexus with the Pakistani establishment.

India is insisting that the 26/11 criminal investigation has to be transparent for considering a resumption of the composite dialogue. This includes incarceration of Jamaat-ud-Dawa and Lashkar chief Hafiz Saeed.

New Delhi wants to keep channels of communication with Islamabad open and, according to sources, the opposition and smaller constituents of the UPA are onboard about this.

Sources have said India is also ready to discuss Balochistan while reiterating that it has had no role in the region and that Pakistan's perceptions on this are misplaced. By Naveen Kapoor (ANI)