PM rejects Pakistan's allegation of India funding Taliban

Srinagar, Oct 29 (ANI): The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, on Thursday rejected Pakistan's allegations that India is providing funds to Taliban fighters. ddressing a press conference here, Dr. Singh said: "What was said about the Indian role in Balochistan has no basis. Those who are levelling these false charges know it jolly well."

"The same applies to the accusation of India supporting the Taliban. Nothing can be far fetched, far from the truth. We are victims of terrorism aided and abetted from the Pakistan side. Both references to Balochistan and what is said about Taliban are widely false," he added.

Pakistan's Interior Minister Rehman Malik had claimed that India was fomenting unrest within Pakistan through steps such as funding Taliban fighters based along the border with Afghanistan.

In an interview, Malik said he was convinced that India is among certain hostile agencies that are backing the Taliban to create instability in Pakistan.

On holding discussion with Pakistan, he said India was ready to discuss all issues with Pakistan provided it creates an atmosphere in which negotiations can be fruitful.

Making it clear that talks will not act under pressure of anybody, he said: "There is no pre-condition for talks with Pakistan but the practical aspect is that there will be no headway till Pakistan brings under effective control the terror elements in that country."

Asking Pakistan to bring terror machineries under control, the Prime Minister said that talks with Pakistan cannot go ahead alongwith terror.

Reacting on Pakistan's allegations in India's involvement in unrest of Balochistan, the Prime Minister said that there is no basis for Islamabad's allegations.

The Prime Minister also expressed disappointment with the Pakistan's handling of Mumbai terror attacks probe. (ANI)