London, Jun 27 : India today said that relations with Pakistan can only grow in an atmosphere free of terror and violence.“The trajectory of our relationship over the last few decades has been distorted and adversely impacted by the factor of cross-border terrorism,” India's Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao told a large gathering at the International Institute for Strategic Studies here.
Describing her recent talks with Pakistan's Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir in Islamabad as “productive and positive, Rao said, “A stable Pakistan which acts as a bulwark against terrorism and extremism is in its own interest and also in the interest of our region.”
She noted, “We have consistently made efforts to go back to the negotiating table to solve difficult issues. We have striven to promote better relations with Pakistan. Naturally, such relations can only grow in an atmosphere free of terror and violence.”
Referring to China, Rao said “We have consciously practised a policy of engagement that has yielded positive dividends. Although, there is an unresolved boundary question which should be settled on mutually acceptable terms, we have not held the rest of the relationship hostage to this complex issue. We have also collaborated on a variety of multilateral issues. PTI
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