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Tara Shankar Sahay in New Delhi
India on Monday reiterated that Pakistan would have to build a conducive atmosphere for the resumption of the dialogue for which New Delhi had sincerely strived, according to external affairs ministry spokeswoman Nirupama Rao.
"Our sincerity in this regard is well-known and we do not need any certification or validation from anybody," Rao asserted in response to a questioner who drew her attention to Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf's recent contention in this context.
Asked about German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder's recent contention in Islamabad that India and Pakistan must resolve their dispute over Kashmir through dialogue, Rao said that Germany was aware about India's position on the issue and had "appreciated" it.
Asked to clarify what she meant by "conducive atmosphere", she said Pakistan would have to end cross-border terrorism
She also pointed out that Chancellor Schroeder would be holding a joint pres conference with Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee at the latter's Race Course Road residence (at 1900 hours).
Asked about the massacre of Christians in a church in Pakistan, Rao said, "We have seen the report on the attack on Christians. We are one with the international community as far as stressing the need for restoration of peace and harmonious ties among all communities is concerned."
The spokeswoman indicated that the proposed meeting on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York between Vajpayee and Musharraf was unlikely because "there appears to be no time for such a meeting".
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