Notwithstanding Pakistan's insistence on resumption of dialogue, India on Tuesday made it clear that talks cannot take place till it shows seriousness about acting against perpetrators of 26/11 attacks and dismantling of terror infrastructure.
"Our position has been very clear and consistent. We have asked Pakistan to take two steps -- one, to bring perpetrators of Mumbai attacks to justice and to ensure that terror structures in Pakistan used against our country should be dismantled," Minister of State for External Affairs Shashi Tharoor told reporters in New Delhi.
"But we have not seen progress in either of these two steps. We would like them to take steps on these two fronts. Until that action takes place we are not in a position to resume composite dialogue," he said.
"We can certainly talk to Pakistan but then they should show us they are serious," the minister said.
His comments came against the backdrop of remarks by Pakistani High Commissioner Shahid Malik that India was not implementing the "agreement" reached at Sharm-el-Shaikh about delinking dialogue from action against terrorism.
Tharoor noted that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had made it very clear that if Pakistan takes the first step, India would meet it "more than the half way".
"That first step has not been taken yet," Tharoor said.
"We want them to take action. We believe there is a great deal to be done. So far, Pakistan has not done it."
Malik had contended that there was a "diplomatic vacuum" which would strengthen the extremist forces who are opposed to good relations between the two countries.
Asked whether Pakistan's insistence on resumption of dialogue was an attempt to divert attention from its internal problems, Tharoor said, "We will not comment on Pakistan's internal problems. We wish them well, but no comments on its internal matters." PTI
