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Summary
Contending that dialogue was the only way forward with Pakistan, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today said the decision to hold foreign-secretary level talks was a calculated one but there can be no meaningful discussion till terror from Pakistan is ended. Denying that he had sought mediation by Saudi Arabia, he asserted in the Lok Sabha that all problems with Pakistan can be resolved bilaterally if it adopted a reasonable attitude in dealing with terror elements which target India. Our policy towards Pakistan is consistent, cautious and realistic, Singh said replying to the debate on the Motion of Thanks to the President's address to Parliament during which he lambasted the opposition BJP for spreading disinformation. He specifically rebutted charges levelled by senior BJP leader L K Advani that the government was talking to Pakistan under US pressure. Underlining the need for keeping communication channels with Pakistan from breaking down, he said the scope of any miscalculation can only worsen in an environment of no contact. To buttress his point, he said the US and the erstwhile Soviet Union, even at the height of the Cold War had kept communication channels open. Referring to the recent Foreign Secretary-level talks, Singh said it was not a sudden decision but a calculated one. He pointed out that he had earlier offered to resume talks on humanitarian issues.
