Talking tough, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Thursday made it clear that the onus of resumption of composite dialogue lay with Pakistan which has to act and convince India that it is sincere in ending cross-border terrorism.
Singh said he had discussed the situation in Pakistan and Afghanistan with President Barack Obama during their first meeting here and the two sides agreed to work together to counter the forces of terror.
“Discussions (with Pakistan) cannot proceed if hundreds of people are killed as happened in Mumbai,” he told a press conference here when asked when the composite dialogue on Kashmir can resume.
“We expect Pakistan to do all that it is required to bring perpetrators of Mumbai attacks to book... This is the minimum pre-condition for any discussion between India and Pakistan,” Singh said.
The Prime Minister pointed out that India had given answers to Pakistan’s 30 questions with regard to Mumbai attacks.
“The ball is in Pakistan’s court. Pakistan has to convince us.. Pakistan has the opportunity to assure the world that it is sincere in its statements about not allowing its soil to be used for terrorism,” Singh said.