Fostering terror across border affecting bilateral ties: India

As India and Pakistan prepare for foreign secretary-level talks Feb 25, Minister of State for Defence MM Pallam Raju said on Wednesday that "fostering" terrorism across the border was not helping bilateral relations.

As India and Pakistan prepare for foreign secretary-level talks Feb 25, Minister of State for Defence MM Pallam Raju said on Wednesday that "fostering" terrorism across the border was not helping bilateral relations.

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"We anticipate infiltration (into Jammu and Kashmir) as the snows melt. It happens every year. It is unfortunate that conscious fostering of terrorism from across the border is not helping bilateral relations," Raju told reporters on the sidelines of a naval seminar at Defexpo 2010.

"I hope the government of Pakistan takes action to contain it," he added.

India has suspended the bilateral composite dialogue process in the wake of the 26/11 Mumbai carnage that New Delhi blames on Pakistani terrorists. Earlier this month, India had suggested Feb 18 or Feb 25 for foreign secretary level talks, which were then announced for the latter date.

India has said the talks would focus on countering terror but that other issues of mutual concern could also be discussed.