PM describes meeting with Zardari `good encounter`

Paris, Sept 30 (PTI) Contending that there is an
upsurge of infiltration from Pakistan and increase in cease-
fire violations, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has said that
only time can tell whether the country's new President has the
will to fight terrorism and move in the right direction.

Describing his last week's meeting with Pakistan
President Asif Ali Zardari as a "good encounter", Singh said
"he (Zardari) had the right words."

The two leaders met for the first time in New York on
Thursday last and decided to commence the cross-LoC trade in
Jammu and Kashmir. They also vowed to take "severe action"
against any elements directing or involved in terrorist acts.

"We (India) have our preoccupations, notably as far as
the origin of the attack against our Embassy in Kabul in July
is concerned," Singh told French newspaper 'Le Figaro' in an
interview.

"Only time will say whether Pakistan is in measure to
go in the right direction. There is an upsurge of
infiltrations from Pakistan and an increase of the violations
of cease-fire. I informed President Zardari about these
preoccupations. He answered that he has only become president
for the last two weeks," Singh said.

On Afghanistan, he said India welcomes France's
growing commitment to the strife-torn country as New Delhi
thinks that it needs a lasting international assistance.

Regarding negotiations with the Taliban, we think that
it is not possible to make a distinction between "good" and
"bad" Talibans, Singh said.

"We are not opposed to efforts in view of a
reconciliation and of a dialogue with various political
groups, but we cannot extend it to those who aspire to destroy
the idea of pluralistic and democratic Afghanistan or who are
fundamentally opposed to it," the Prime Minister said.

Noting that he deeply regret the attacks on Christians
in several states, Singh said one should not generalise such
incidents and draw a conclusion on the fate of minorities in
India.

"There had been occasional accidents. Our Constitution
guarantees the religious freedom.

"India is a secular country where all citizens have
the same rights, whatever their creed is. I have myself
condemned what has happened and I intervened in the concerned
states," Singh said, when asked what was his answer to those
who are worried about the attacks.