Pakistan ‘ready to talk about terrorism’

PAKISTAN is ready to discuss India’s concerns about terrorism, Islamabad’s new ambassador to New Delhi was reported to have said yesterday.

“Let the Indian delegation sit across the table and talk about these things. We will find out what co-operation they need and what co-operation Pakistan can or has extended,” High Commissioner Aziz Ahmed Khan told The Hindu newspaper.

He did not give details, but in recent months Indian and Pakistani leaders have proposed talks to discuss the divided Himalayan region of Kashmir and other issues.

New Delhi insists Islamabad stop Pakistan-based Islamic militants crossing into its territory to stage attacks before talks are held.

India accuses Pakistan of running camps to train and arm the militants fighting for Kashmir’s independence or merger with Pakistan since 1989. The insurgency has killed more than 63,000 people, mostly civilians. Pakistan denies that and says it has done all it can to stop the militants.

India meanwhile said Pakistan had rejected a proposal to create a group of officials from both countries to share intelligence on the movement of terrorists in each other’s territory, according to a news report.

India proposed creating the joint body to end cross-border terrorism, Press Trust of India quoted junior External Affairs Minister Digvijay Singh as saying.

But Islamabad’s reaction to it had been negative, with Pakistani leaders characterising it as unworkable, the minister said.