India puts onus on Pakistan for resumption of dialogue

• Home Minister Rajnath Singh says Pakistan should commit to end terror to begin talks

India on Wednesday put the onus on Pakistan for resumption of dialogue, asserting that it should commit to end the state-sponsored terrorism, Times of India has reported.

Indian Home Minister Rajnath Singh, speaking in the Rajya Sabha, said India was ready to talk to all stakeholders in Jammu and Kashmir to normalise the situation there.

“Pakistan should at least make a beginning and say it is willing to talk and end terrorist activities and seek support of any country in the world (in ending terrorism). Pakistan should take an initiative,” he said in response to questions by lawmakers as to why talks are not being held with Pakistan.

Singh further said that the previous government had also placed a condition for Pakistan to give a commitment to end state-sponsored terrorism.

To questions over the situation in Kashmir, he said, “We are ready to talk to everyone… The entire nation wants the situation to normalise in Kashmir. We are ready to cooperate with everyone and have taken all initiatives in this regard.”

He noted that he had visited the Kashmir valley thrice during the unrest last year.

“When there was unrest, I went to the Kashmir valley thrice. I have spoken each time. The government wants the Kashmir situation to improve. We have taken every initiative,” he said.

“I also want to inform the House that there has been no dearth of official communication,” he added.