`India to talk with Pakistan in terror-free atmosphere`

New Delhi: India is ready to discuss all outstanding issues with Pakistan but in an atmosphere free of terrorism, the External Affairs Ministry said on Thursday.

"We want a peaceful, cooperative relationship with Pakistan," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup said in his weekly media briefing here.

"We are prepared to discuss all outstanding issues with Pakistan but in an atmosphere free of terror and violence," he said.

"It is incumbent upon Pakistan to create the right conditions for that political dialogue to take place."

However, Swarup said that issues like cross-border firing and fishermen straying into each other's waters were important to both India and Pakistan. 

"Humanitarian issues will always be important to us and, in fact, important to both countries and any mechanism, institutions which promote cooperation on humanitarian issues must be pursued," he stated.