India puts off peace talks with Pakistan

[Owais]

India puts off peace talks with Pakistan NEW DELHI: India has put off peace talks with Pakistan due this week a top Indian foreign ministry official said on Sunday.

"We told them the environment is not conducive," said the Indian Foreign Ministry official, who spoke to a foreign news agency on condition of anonymity. He was referring to talks due to be held in New Delhi on July 20-21.

The meeting between their chief foreign ministry officials was to have reviewed progress in the peace process, launched in early 2004.

New Delhi has formally informed Islamabad about the decision to put off the talks, sources told Geo News. Pakistan will give its stand on the issue tomorrow, the sources added.

 

[Owais]

Talks with Pakistan not on immediate agenda: India KERALA: In the wake of the bomb attacks in Mumbai, India-Pakistan talks are not on New Delhi's immediate agenda and a decision to hold the parleys will be taken at an appropriate time, Indian Minister of State for External Affairs E. Ahamed said here Saturday.

India will also ask Pakistan to fully abide by its commitment that it would take serious initiatives to halt cross-border terrorism, he told reporters.

Ahamed said investigations into the Mumbai blasts are on and expressed hope that those behind the "ghastly act" would soon be nabbed and forces that worked behind the terror strikes would be exposed.

Strongly condemning Israel's intensified attacks on Lebanon, Ahamed said India had initiated steps to dispatch medicines worth Rs 10 crore to provide relief to the victims of the air strikes.

"It is equally condemnable that a few Israeli troops had been captured by Hezbollah, whose action triggered the present crisis," he said.

But he disagreed with the Israeli air strikes on Lebanese territories and asked Tel Aviv to put an end to its retaliatory steps to restore peace in West Asia.

 

[Neo]

By Barbara Plett

BBC News, Islamabad

Mr Khan says the bombings and peace talks should not be linked

Pakistan's foreign secretary has called the postponement of peace talks with India a "negative development".

Riaz Mohammed Khan also denied Indian allegations Pakistan had allowed its territory to be used by militants for attacks on its neighbour.
India postponed the talks after the train bombings in Mumbai, which have left about 180 people dead.
It said the environment was not favourable for a meeting this week to review the third round of talks.
Mr Khan said linking the Mumbai bombings with the talks was incongruous, especially as both sides had stated they would not let terrorism derail the peace process.
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Indian officials have suggested the train bombers were supported by elements in Pakistan, and demanded that Islamabad actively rein in militants on its soil.
Mr Khan denied that Pakistan let its territory be used for launching attacks against any country, and said Indian officials had not formally lodged any charges or passed on any information.
He added that Pakistan would not reverse confidence-building measures agreed with India, and expressed hope that a fourth round of talks would go ahead.
Observers say the Mumbai blasts have stalled the peace process between the nuclear rivals, but are not expected to end it.
The two countries began peace talks in January 2004.
They followed a prolonged period of tension after militants attacked the Indian parliament in December 2001. That attack led to both sides amassing troops along their border. Although both sides have made some headway in improving travel and other ties between them, there has been little sign of progress in solving their core dispute over the divided territory of Kashmir, which both countries claim.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/5188462.stm

 

[Neo]

By Sanjoy Majumder

BBC News, Delhi

The mood against Pakistan is hardening in India

The statement by Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh that the peace process between India and Pakistan cannot progress unless Islamabad cracks down on terrorism represents a hardening of Delhi's position.

For the first time since Tuesday's serial bombings in Mumbai, the Indian government has pointed a finger at its long-time rival.
Until now, Indian officials had been cautious in their comments - broadly describing the attacks as the work of terrorists but refusing to go any further.
But on Saturday, Delhi said that "no date had been set" for a meeting between foreign secretaries of the two countries that was scheduled to take place next week.
Indian Foreign Secretary Shyam Saran said that India was still committed to the peace process, but it had been made "more difficult" by the bombings.

Two Indian MPs have also cancelled their visit to a Commonwealth parliamentarians meeting in Islamabad.
These developments may be relatively small scale, but they nevertheless provide the first indication that the peace process is in jeopardy.

Militant cells

Off the record, some senior intelligence officials were more forthcoming, saying that Islamic groups with links to Pakistan were involved.

One report in an Indian newspaper on Friday even said that National Security Advisor MK Narayanan had briefed the cabinet on Thursday, saying there was little doubt on that score.
But now Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has publicly suggested that the blasts were carried out by militant cells supported from within Pakistan.

No group has been as yet named as having carried out the coordinated attacks on Mumbai's commuter railway system last Tuesday.


But many believe that only a few groups have the expertise to execute them.

The key suspect is the Lashkar-e-Toiba, a Kashmiri militant group based in Pakistan and banned by both countries.
The group has been blamed for similar attacks in the past - in particular an attack on India's parliament in 2001 that brought both countries to the brink of war.

Lashkar has already denied having anything to do with the Mumbai blasts but few in India will take that at face value.
Radical Islamic groups within India are also under investigation for any role they may have played, including the Students Islamic Movement of India (Simi), a hardline group based in north India which has also been outlawed.
Although Simi has been implicated in attacks in the past, no member of the group has ever been charged, let alone convicted.

Pakistan blamed

Ever since India and Pakistan embarked on a peace process in January 2004, there has been a noticeable improvement in the tenor of their exchanges.

In the past it was routine for Delhi to blame Pakistan, particularly its intelligence services, over violent attacks in India.
After the attack on India's parliament, the angry exchange of rhetoric so soured relations that the two countries came close to an all out war.

President Musharraf has limited influence over Islamic hardliners


But things have improved since then and India has been far less aggressive in its comments since.


Pakistan was also one of the first countries to strongly condemn the bombings.
So why did India's prime minister make his comments which, without doubt, represent a hardened stance?

With the investigation making little tangible progress, the Indian government is under increasing pressure to act and demonstrate that it is not a soft target.

Many people are angry that three days after the bombings, there appear to have been no significant arrests, nothing to indicate that the government was moving swiftly to crackdown on those responsible.

Other's believe that it is time India demonstrates it will not take things lying down, even if that means reading the riot act to its neighbour.

But there are serious doubts that even if groups in Pakistan were directly involved, that the country's leader General Pervez Musharraf can do much to confront them. While some believe that at least a part of the Pakistani establishment is reluctant to act against militants fighting Indian rule in Kashmir, the reality is that the Pakistan government has little control over hardline Islamic groups largely based in the frontier tribal region along the Afghan border.

 

[Bull]

I aslo read tha kasauri is quite frustrated as he doesnt have a counterpart in India to speak to.the post of foreign minister is vacant and is been managed by the Prime Minister and the protocol doesnt allow Kasauri to speak to PM directly.

So as of now things arent going anywhere.

 

[JSK]

With everything that's gonig in the country - I'm betting this is the last thing on their minds

When they're actually blaming Pakistan for what has been done, how do you expect them to continue with the peace process.

 

[Neo]

Again not surprising that the summit is called off.

India has done it before, calling off ongoing negotiation every time there's a blast.
All part of the PR to damage Pakistan's image.

 

[JSK]

This is probably way off topic but this caught my attention because of the word Terrorist. It looks like some kind of a 'saying/quote'. Woudl someone be kind enough to transalate?


"Har Musalman aatankvadi(terrorist) nahi hai.
Par Har aatankvadi(terrorist) musalman kyun hai?"

 

[Neo]

This is probably way off topic but this caught my attention because of the word Terrorist. It looks like some kind of a 'saying/quote'. Woudl someone be kind enough to transalate?


"Har Musalman aatankvadi(terrorist) nahi hai.
Par Har aatankvadi(terrorist) musalman kyun hai?"

It says litterally: "Not every muslim is a terrorist.
But how come every terrorist is a muslim?"

Yeah right...I've heard this ignorant quote before.
Probably he's never heard of the Maoists, ETA, IRA etc...

 

[JSK]

It says litterally: "Not every muslim is a terrorist.
But how come every terrorist is a muslim?"

Yeah right...I've heard this ignorant quote before.
Probably he's never heard of the Maoists, ETA, IRA etc...

bahhhh...I thought it'd be worth using as a signature or something but ehh..pretty stupid..:idiot:

thanks neo

 

[Owais]

Pak-India peace talks delay tantamount to, `playing into hands of terrorists.’: Musharraf ISLAMABAD: President General Pervez Musharraf on Tuesday said any delay in the peace talks between this Islamic nation and archrival India because of the Bombay train bombings that killed more than 200 people would be tantamount to ``playing into the hands of the terrorists.''

President Musharraf said any stalling of the ongoing peace between Pakistan and India because of terrorist attacks would be tantamount to playing into the hands of terrorists.

"We must not allow such terrorist acts to undermine the historic opportunity for lasting peace between Pakistan and India," the President said while addressing the meeting of the National Security Council (NSC) here.

The meeting was attended by Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz, Chairman Senate, Speaker National Assembly, Chief Ministers of Punjab, Sindh, the NWFP, Balochsitan, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee and Chief of Air Staff. Governor NWFP, Foreign Minister, Interior Minister and Advisor to the Prime Minister on Tribal Affairs attended the meeting by special invitation.

On recent statements emanating from the Indian side and postponement of foreign secretary level talks following Mumbai blasts, the President observed that any stalling of the ongoing peace process would be unfortunate.

He added that doing so because of terrorist attacks would be tantamount to playing into the hands of the terrorists.

President Musharraf emphasized that instead of unsubstantiated allegations and aspersions, India should share with Pakistan any concrete information it had.

"If the Indian side had any concrete information it should be shared with Pakistan and we would help with the investigation," he said.

The NSC discussed in depth the internal and external security environment and initiatives aimed at improving the socio economic condition of the people of Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) and Balochistan.

The NWFP Governor and the Interior Secretary gave detailed presentations to the NSC on the situation in FATA and the overall internal security situation.

 

[Owais]

Dialogue has suffered; India will reflect on ties with Pakistan: Manmohan NEW DELHI: Indian prime minister Manmohan Singh said on Tuesday India would have to review its
relations with Pakistan after last week's Mumbai blasts but that the two countries needed to live in peace.

"I think the dialogue process has suffered," Singh said. "I wouldn't say a setback, but it is inevitable in the light of this ghastly tragedy, we should reflect on our relations with Pakistan."

Singh was quoted by an Indian TV channel as making the comment to reporters on his way back from the G8 summit in Russia.

 

[TexasJohn]

I have talked with several of my Pakistani friends who assert that the "Jihad" concept is alive and well there. He even showed me an article about a "United Jihad Counsel" that operates out of Pakistan Kashmir, that is supported by the Murdike based Jihad group. So my question is, why won't the military shut them down? Are they that helpless? if they are, doesn't that speak poorly for the command and control of the armed forces? Your thoughts guys?

 

[sigatoka]

I have talked with several of my Pakistani friends who assert that the "Jihad" concept is alive and well there. He even showed me an article about a "United Jihad Counsel" that operates out of Pakistan Kashmir, that is supported by the Murdike based Jihad group. So my question is, why won't the military shut them down? Are they that helpless? if they are, doesn't that speak poorly for the command and control of the armed forces? Your thoughts guys?

Its about strategy, Jihadists are good pawns (the word pawns is too strong but 4 want of a better word i use it) for the Pak. state to conduct low level warfare in Kashmir. Why shut down what serves a useful purpose?

 

[SSG VIPER]

Its about strategy, Jihadists are good pawns (the word pawns is too strong but 4 want of a better word i use it) for the Pak. state to conduct low level warfare in Kashmir. Why shut down what serves a useful purpose?

Why not free KASHMIR accordin to UN give them a right to chose PAKISTAN indi or a seperate state?Why not do tht wat is according to law why occupation?why raping or killing of innocent men women and children?why have thousands of innocent kashmiris been killed when UN AND GENEVA gives them a right to decide why crushing and killing of political leaders who want a seperate state why women and children are raped wat abt missing young old men and women??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????