Venkaiah criticises PM move to discuss with Pak

Bangalore, Sep 20: Bharatiya Janata Party leader M Venakaiah Naidu today observed that the dialogue with Pakistan to improve bilateral relations is 'untimely and harmful' to the interests of the country unless Pakistan dismantled terrorist infrastructure in its domain.

Speaking to newsmen here he said while Pakistan was an aggressor of terrorism, India was a victim of terrorist attacks. While India tried to put an end to cross border terrorism and mobilise support from the international community, Pakistan was firm on making Jammu and Kashmir a contentious issue. "We can talk to Pakistan only if they agreed to put an end to the terrorists base and destroy them," he felt.

Answering a question he said the present talks would not serve any purpose as several of the underworld leaders were holed up in that country.

He declined to comment on the controversy raked up following remarks made by Karnataka Higher Education Minister D H Shankara Murthy that Tippu Sultan was anti-Kannada and used Persian language during his regime. It was for the historians to dig into the past and react, he felt.

UNI

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