Indo-Pak talks will aim at reducing trust deficit: Krishna

New Delhi, July 8 (ANI): External Affairs Minister S M Krishna on Thursday said one should not pre-judge the outcome of the new initiative for talks between India and Pakistan, asserting that the talks between the two neighbours during the upcoming foreign minister-level talks are primarily aimed at reducing the trust deficit.

When asked about China's attempt to build a rail link with Pakistan through Karakoram, Krishna said: "New Delhi is closely watching the situation."

"I did not have the chance to discuss the issue with the National Security Advisor Shiv Shankar Menon, who visited China as Prime Minister's emissary," he added on the sidelines of the All India Annual Conference for Haj in New Delhi.

Krishna is travelling to Pakistan for the upcoming Foreign Ministerial level talks scheduled for July 15 and is expected to hold discussions with his Pakistani counterpart Shah Mehmood Qureshi on a host of other issues as well.

Earlier on Tuesday, Krishna said India will continue to discuss the issue of terrorism with Pakistan in the upcoming Foreign Minister level talks and seek to know about the progress made in the trial of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks accused.

"We would like to talk to Pakistan on a number of concerns that we have. Of course, the primary concern would continue to be the terror that emanates from Pakistan," said Krishna.

"So, I will continue to talk about 26/11 Mumbai attacks and would find out at what stage the trial of accused in the Mumbai attacks is," he added. He was talking to media on board, while returning to India after paying five-day visit to African countries.

Krishna also said that he would also take up 'issues like trade, people to people movement, student movements, teachers' exchange and anything else they can come up with" during his talks in Islamabad.

India stopped the composite dialogue with Pakistan following the Mumbai terror attack on November 26, 2008.

However, the recent foreign secretary-level meeting between India and Pakistan paved way for both countries to reduce trust-deficit to some extent.

Krishna would leave for Islamabad on July 14. (ANI)