The European Union on Thursday ruled out mediation between India and Pakistan on de-escalating tensions between the two countries even as New Delhi asserted that it is always prepared for constructive dialogue if there is a conducive atmosphere. Indo-Pak tensions figured in the bi-annual meeting between external affairs minister Jaswant Singh and his counterparts from the EU troika countries in which the situation in Afghanistan and South Asia came up for review.
Spanish foreign minister Josip Pique told reporters later that the meeting had an opportunity to convey EU's common concerns on the escalation of tensions in the region and the possible fallout in case of a conflict between the two nuclear powers. “In no event, we are going to intervene in the situation,” he said unequivocally, adding, “EU was interested in appropriate action for reduction of tensions.”
The troika comprises Belgium, Spain and Denmark.
Singh said, “India was the initiator of the dialogue process and it always wanted a constructive and productive dialogue.” “For that there is a need for a conducive atmosphere and for that cross-border terrorism as a state policy (of Pakistan) must end and there should be translation of this statement into action,” he said. Bureau Report