Lack of focus in talks with Pakistan 'disappointing' : BJP

New Delhi, Jan 15 (UNI) The BJP today said 'conspicuous silence' on containing terror emanating from Pakistan during External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee's visit to the country was disappointing.

Curbing terrorism is the greatest confidence building measure (CBM) Pakistan can offer India, the BJP said.

BJP spokesman Ravi Shankar Prasad said it was disappointing that not a word was spoken on terrorism when Pakistan's terror link in various acts of violence in was known. Former Intelligence Chief John Negroponte of the US had revealed that Al-Qaeda was very much active in Pakistan, he said.

India's silence, he said India should not be to garner political advantage in Uttar Pradesh's assembly elections. He said Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Mr Mukherjee's statements on the country's national borders were contradictory.

When Mr Mukherjee asserts in Pakistan that borders are not negotiable while Dr Singh speaks of making borders irrelevant, ''Whom should we hear, the Prime Minister or External Affairs Minister,'' Mr Prasad asked.

He said on such an important issue, it is important the government apprise the political parties about the outcome of talks between the two countries.

The BJP spokesman said there can be no compromise on security and national interests. People want to know if Mr Mukherjee had raised the issue of killing of 70 odd innocent migrants in Asom by ISI-backed ULFA. Have they given the clinching evidences of ISI involvement in Mumbai serial blasts six months ago. ''Diplomacy cannot be sidelined for the sake of legal requirements,'' he remarked when a newsperson asked if disclosure of Mumbai blasts case to a foreign country would not harm the pending case.

UNI