No talks with those who voice Pak's views: Advani

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December 30, 2002 16:38 IST

"The Centre is not prepared to hold talks with those who only voice Pakistan's views," Deputy Prime Minister Lal Kishenchand Advani said on Monday.

"We are ready to talk to elected representatives and others in Jammu and Kashmir but not with those who consider Pakistan to be their master," he said.

"The approach of some Kashmiri leaders that they want to go to Pakistan does not make any sense," he said hinting at the Hurriyat Conference.

"We do not want to talk to Pakistan or their proxies. If we have to talk to Pakistan, we will not require any intermediary."

And "We will not talk to Pakistan till it dismantles its terrorist infrastructure and stop cross-border terrorism," Advani said

"When we say that the epicentre of terrorism has shifted to Pakistan, there is substantial evidence. Western powers also understand our position but they have their own political considerations and assessment. They have a right to their views, though we think they are mistaken," he said adding this did not mean they were against India.

If the United States wanted to overcome terrorism, it must realise that the focus should be on Pakistan and not on J&K, and that the military-fundamentalist character of states like Pakistan must change, he said.

Describing Pakistan as an 'inimical state', he said Islamabad wants to be on the right side of the US while simultaneously pursuing an anti-India policy, which includes cross border terrorism.

More reports from Jammu and Kashmir

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