BJP demands India-Pakistan talks be put on hold

New Delhi, Oct 30 (UNI) The BJP today demanded the Centre to keep all talks between India and Pakistan ''on hold'', including the proposed meet of Foreign Secretaries, till Pakistan fully stopped sponsoring terrorism from its territory.

Taking note of Pakistan Foreign Minister Khurshid Mehmood Kasuri's claims that his country and India were 'close to a deal' on Siachen, BJP President Rajnath cautioned the Centre not to do anything in a ''hush hush manner'' without taking the nation into confidence.

He said all previous agreements with Pakistan had proved disadvantageous to India and its security in the past. It was time for the government to take the Opposition and Parliament into confidence about Mr Kasuri seeing signs of an imminent breakthrough on Siachen.

Reacting to Mr Kasuri's interview to an agency, Mr Singh said peace was a two-way process and it would be futile to involve Pakistan in talks at a time when terror was being exported not just to the northern states but also the deep hinterlands of south. The government must realise that India was under siege by those inimical to the progress and rapid strides made in social and economic spheres. He said it was necessary to ponder if Pakistan had done enough to allow the deal. ''What is back channel diplomacy? Is UPA pursuing through non-papers submitted at Havana?'' he asked stating that the country needed to know full details.

The BJP President said the core of the issue was dismantling of 59 terrorist training camps and a full stop to nurturing terrorism from Pakistan for resolving all outstanding issues between the two countries. Pakistan President was asked to fulfill this commitment when NDA was in power and the result was the joint statement of Gen Musharraf and the then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in January 2004, promising not to allow any Pakistan territory for launching terrorist operations.

UNI MCN-KAS PK ND1726