Dialogue with Pakistan a calculated one: Manmohan Singh

New Delhi, March 5 (ANI): The Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, on Friday said the decision to hold bilateral ties with Pakistan was a 'calculated' one, adding that a meaningful discussion could be possible only of Islamabad puts a check on terrorism infiltrating in its soil.

Replying to President Pratibha Devisingh Patil's address to both houses on February 22, Dr Singh said: "United States never put pressure on India to hold dialogues with Pakistan."

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led opposition had earlier charged the Centre of holding dialogues with Pakistan only because of US pressure.

Dr Singh asserted that problems with Pakistan could be resolved bilaterally if it adopted a cautious approach in dealing with terrorism.

"Our policy towards Pakistan is consistent, cautious and realistic," he added.

Dr Singh further said the recent foreign secretary level talks was not a sudden decision pointing that he had earlier offered to resume talks on humanitarian issues.

The Prime Minister did not comment on the Pakistani plan, but said: "I have never believed channels of communication with Pakistan should break down. The chances of miscalculation can only increase in a situation of no contact." (ANI)