Terrorism has to be dealt with firmly for common good of India, Pakistan: Krishna

New Delhi, June 20, 2011 (PPI): Indian External Affairs Minister SM Krishna on Monday said terrorism has to be dealt with firmly for the common good of India and Pakistan.

In a statement before leaving on three-day visit to Myanmar, he said, "This menace has to be dealt with firmly and transparently, for common good of India and Pakistan, as well as the region beyond. We hope to narrow the trust deficit between our nations and pave way for normalization of relations by addressing all outstanding issues and concerns, particularly those pertaining to terrorism."

Emphasising need to be patient, realistic and positive, Krishna said, "We owe it to ourselves and generations to follow, to do what it takes to embark on the path of peace and development. As Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh has said, on more than one occasion, peace and prosperity of South Asia is interlinked."

He said next round of foreign secretary level talks between India & Pakistan (on June 23-24 in Islamabad) would carry forward the dialogue process. "We also expect to have a meeting of foreign ministers of India and Pakistan by July this year," he added.

Foreign secretary-level talks come after series of high-level meetings between both nations on key issues - security, water, trade, commerce. The decision to resume talks was taken after Prime Ministers of both nations met on sidelines of Thimpu South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation Summit in February last.