PM to Sharif: Talks only if LoC is quiet

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh did some plain speaking on Sunday with his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif, laying down the precondition of ending all ceasefire violations along the Line of Control for any progress to take place on resumption of the Indo-Pak dialogue on various issues. There was no major outcome from the hour-long breakfast meeting between the two Prime Ministers, although it was announced that the directors-general of military operations of the two countries have been tasked to come up with a clear plan to restore the ceasefire and the way forward to ensure that it remains in force and in place. No timeframe was set for this but the Indian side said they would like to address the problem as soon as possible. Stability along the LoC and shutting down of the terror machinery on Pakistan soil directed at India formed the core agenda for Dr Singh in his first-ever meeting with the recently-elected Mr Sharif. Mr Sharif drove to New York Palace Hotel in midtown Manhattan, where Dr Singh was staying, for the meeting. The two Prime Ministers extended invitations to each other for official visits, but no dates were indicated. It is unlikely that Dr Singh will achieve his desire of visiting Pakistan, where he was born 81 years ago, given the current state of bilateral relations and the fact that his tenure is nearing its end. For the record, India’s national security adviser Shivshankar Menon told a media briefing, at which both Indian and Pakistani journalists were present, that the meeting was “cordial, useful and constructive”. Dr Singh also demanded effective action to bring to justice the perpetrators of the 26/11 terror attack in Mumbai, he said, with Sunday’s talks coming against the grim backdrop of twin terror attacks near Jammu on Thursday. Unfazed by the BJP’s demand that he call off his meeting in the wake of the attacks, Dr Singh had decided to go ahead with it. Mr Menon said the immediate priority was to “get out of the situation” which the two countries were in because of cross-border terrorism and LoC ceasefire violations. Dr Singh told Mr Sharif that “peace on the LoC is a precondition” for improvement in ties. The two leaders agreed to seek an improvement in the LoC situation, with ceasefire violations taking place on the Pakistani side. At the meeting, Dr Singh raised the issue of continued cross-border terrorism and support that groups like Jamaat-ud-Dawa led by Mumbai attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed were getting from the Pakistan government. On the Mumbai attack investigations in Pakistan which India feels is not making any progress, Mr Sharif told Dr Singh that action will be taken against the perpetrators. In this context, he referred to the visit of his country’s judicial commission to India recently. Mr Sharif said Pakistan also suffers from terrorism. Asked how hopeful the Indian side was about Pakistan taking action on India’s concerns, Mr Menon said proof of the success and usefulness of the meetings will only be known in the months to come. He said both leaders desire to have better relations but no decision on another meeting between them was taken at this stage. At another briefing five blocks away, Pakistan foreign secretary Abbas Jilani described the meeting as “extremely positive and useful”. He added: “The main purpose was to create a conducive environment to discuss and resolve all outstanding issues.”