New Delhi: As it prepares to resume dialogue with Pakistan, India on Wednesday said any "meaningful progress" in
the process can take place only if Islamabad takes concrete
steps to address New Delhi`s concerns on 26/11 terror attacks
in Mumbai.
"Any meaningful progress can be made only when Pakistan
takes concrete steps to address India`s concerns on 26/11
terror attacks," Defence Minister A K Antony said at the Asian
Security Conference here.
However, the Minister added that the two sides have just
concluded the Foreign Secretary-level talks which demonstrated
their desire to carry forward the dialogue process.
After the 26/11 terror attacks on Mumbai, India had
suspended the dialogue process with Pakistan which was resumed
only a week ago in Thimphu where the two Foreign Secretaries
met to discuss the issues between the two sides.
India has been demanding that Pakistan should punish the
Pak-based terror groups and individuals responsible for
carrying out the attacks, in which over 165 people were killed
and several others were injured.
Meanwhile, addressing the gathering, Antony said India
has always desired peaceful relations with all its neighbours
including Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Myanmar.
"We know that security of one nation is closely linked
and dependent on the security of its neighbouring countries.
In the neighbourhood, we have always been in favour of
resolving issues through dialogue and constant engagement," he
added.
Antony said India`s strategic location on the map of Asia
gives it a strategic importance.
"India, China and Japan have historical and cultural
linkages. Given such a unique inter-connectivity between these
and other Asian nations, security-related challenges and their
solutions require a united approach in the entire regions,"
the Minister said.
He listed terrorism, nuclear proliferation, piracy and
arms smuggling as some of the main challenges faced by the
countries of Asia.
The Defence Minister said India didn`t want to further
its relationship with one nation at the cost of any other
nation. "Our relations with other nations are dictated by our
security imperatives. We have never wanted to further our
relationship with a particular nation at the cost of the
relations with any other country," added.
PTI
