India-Pakistan peace talks not possible along with infiltration: Farooq

Srinagar, June 13 (ANI): Union Renewable Energy Minister and former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Farooq Abdullah on Saturday said infiltration from across the border hinders resumption of peace process with Pakistan and asked it to stem infiltration as a precondition for talks.

On his first visit to the Valley after taking over as Minister for Renewable Energy in the Manmohan Singh-led UPA Government at the centre, Abdullah got a rousing welcome.

"There is no doubt that as the snow melts, infiltration does take place. We sincerely hope that Pakistan will take measures to curb infiltration because it is very important to do so, then only we can talk to Pakistan on the various issues we have. If infiltration keeps taking place and they ask us to talk, the nation will not tolerate it," Abdullah said.

On Friday, Foreign Secretary Shivshankar Menon said on Friday informed Prime Minster Manmohan Singh would be visiting Russia in the coming week, to attend the SCO meet and Brazil-Russia-India-China (BRIC) Summit.

Pakistan President Asfi Ali Zardari will also be there in the Russian city of Yekaterinburg during the summit.

Dr. Singh had earlier stated that he was ready to meet Pakistan "more than half-way" if Pakistan cracked down on militants during an address in Lok Sabha.

Islamabad had welcomed Singh's comments. (ANI)