For a peaceful dialogue with Pakistan, 'environment free of violence' needed: MEA

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Tuesday said that a peaceful dialogue with Paksitan will only proceed if there is an environment free of violence and terror, which opposes the multiple incidents along the Line of Control (LoC) in the past week.

"For a peaceful dialogue to proceed, we need an environment free of violence and terror. Certainly, what has happened last week does not fit into that. ...We have factored all subsequent developments also and we will take a call on this (talks) in due time and ahead of when it is required to be responded to," MEA spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin said.

Akbaruddin said that the MEA welcomes Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's publicly expressed desire to mend relations with India, but expects Pakistan to stand up to their promise of peace.

"For our part, India is committed to resolve all outstanding issues with Pakistan through the peaceful bilateral dialogue, in an environment free from violence and terror," Akbaruddin said.

"In the current context, and the events of the last week, we see that the upholding of the sanctity of the LoC is vital. ...Unfortunately, unprovoked incidents along the LoC naturally have consequences over bilateral relations. We expect Pakistan to abide by its publicly stated commitment, not to allow its territory or territories under its control to be used for terror or terrorism and violence against India. We also look forward to determined action to be undertaken to dismantle the terrorist networks and infrastructure, as well as tangible movement in bringing to justice quickly those involved in the Mumbai Terrorists Attacks of November, 2008," Akbaruddin added.

Relations between India and Pakistan have been extremely tense in the last week after six Indian soldiers were ambushed in Poonch District of Jammu and Kashmir on August 6.

Additionally, Pakistan has violated the ceasefire along the LoC multiple times.

In the last 48-hours, Pakistan has violated the ceasefire five times along the LoC.

Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh was scheduled to meet his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif in New York in September, but there have been doubts cast over pursuing talks after the Indo-Pak relationship has been strained along the border.