Govt should take tough stance on terror:Yashwant Sinha

New Delhi, May 29 (UNI) Stating that India had made a mistake in judging Pakistan's ''true intentions'' in dealing with terrorist activities from its soil, former External Affairs Minister Yashwant Sinha urged the UPA government to adopt a tough stand on the issue at the ongoing peace talks with Islamabad.

''We lost the chances we got for a final solution on Kashmir in the past,'' Mr Sinha said, adding that taking the Kashmir issue to the United Nations was ''a mistake'' as it was ''not required at all''.

''We have made a mistake in understanding the real intention of Pakistan regarding terrorist activities from its soil. The Government should take a tough posture on terrorism. Only then, we will be able to force Pakistan to keep its commitment of January 6, 2004 regarding not allowing its soil to be used for terror activities,'' the BJP leader said while speaking at a BBC programme.

He, however, favoured continuation of peace talks with Pakistan.

''Both the countries should continue talks with each other. India should each time remind Pakistan about its commitment to check terrorism...New Delhi should also try to bring Pakistan out of its often repeated words that the dialogue should be Kashmir-centric,'' he added.

On how long the talks could go on in the absence of any concrete progress, Mr Sinha said, ''It is not possible within a couple of years to look for concrete progress on an issue which has been pending since 60 years, what is required is boldness to continue talks with sincerity...If we can continue to hold talks with China despite having fought a war with it, then why not Pakistan,'' he said.

The former union minister said a situation of concern arises ''when the Kashmir issue is treated as tri-lateral''.

''We have to avoid this situation, the Indian government alone has the right to solve its internal matter, which includes talking to those outside the mainstream in the state. In fact, we should question the locus-standi of Pakistan on Kashmir and ask them in which capacity do they talk about this issue.'' Criticising Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's recent roundtable conference on Kashmir, he said there was an escalation in violence during Dr Singh's visit to the state and most of the separatist and other organisations boycotted it. ''It is not important to hold such high-profile talks...in sensitive matters, it is advisable to do things at a low key.'' Mr Sinha also demanded the immediate appointment of an External Affairs Minister.''It is important for any government to have a full time External Affairs Minister. The Prime Minister can keep this portfolio for some time...not to have a Minister hampers diplomatic intervention at important forums and levels'' UNI VJ RR AT KN1331