Salman Khurshid rules out talks with Pak

External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid on Friday categorically ruled out talks with Pakistan in the wake of recent recurring incidents of ceasefire violations along the Line of Control (LoC).

Khurshid said the situation as of now is not conducive for talks with Islamabad.

"There are ground rules for dialogue. In the lack of it, dialogue becomes difficult or impossible or is suspended if the situations become difficult," he told media here today.

The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, yesterday said it is imperative that for bilateral relations to improve between India and Pakistan, Islamabad must take all steps necessary to prevent its sol from being used for any anti-India activity.

Delivering his 10th Independence Day speech from the ramparts of the historic 17th-century built Red Fort; Dr. Singh said India has also strived for friendship with our neighbouring countries.

"However, for relations with Pakistan to improve, it is essential that they prevent the use of their territory and territory under their control for any anti-India activity," he added.

The Prime Minister was apparently referring to the recent ceasefire violations by Pakistani troops in Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir along the LoC.

Earlier on August 6, five Indian soldiers were killed by Pakistani Specialist Forces along the LoC in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch District.

Both the Houses of Parliament had earlier on Wednesday rejected outright and deplored the anti-India resolutions passed by the National Assembly of Pakistan and the Federal Assembly of Punjab.

A resolution, adopted by the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha, termed the Pakistani resolution as absolutely baseless and unfounded against the armed forces of India and its people.

The resolution said that there should be absolutely no doubt about the involvement of the Pakistan Army in the unprovoked attack on the army patrol on the Indian side of the Line of Control on the 6th of this month. It regretted that Islamabad indulged in unprovoked attacks at a time when efforts were being made to establish a long-lasting framework of peaceful and friendly ties so that both countries could devote their resources and energies for the welfare of the people of the respective countries.

Stating that India is not a threat to Pakistan or its people, the resolution said it is the terrorist groups that have been nurtured by Pakistan which have become the biggest threat to peace in the region.

New Delhi made it categorically clear that the entire state of Jammu and Kashmir including the territory forcibly and illegally occupied by Pakistan, is an integral part of India and will always remain so.

The resolution said India upholds the sanctity of the Line of Control and calls upon the Pakistani regime to abide by the ceasefire commitment of 2003 along the international border and the Line of Control both in letter and spirit.

The resolution paid tribute to the courage and valour of the Indian armed forces personnel, who laid down their lives while upholding the sanctity of the Line of Control.

It warned Islamabad that New Delhi's restraint should not be taken for granted nor should the capacity of its armed forces to ensure the territorial integrity of India.