Manmohan, Nawaz to hold talks amid terror shadow

Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is set to talk with his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif on the sideline of UN General Assembly in New York, USA in order to shun cross-border terrorism.

Despite several warnings, the infiltration is going on from Pakistan and recently sponsored terrorists had attacked on a police station in Kathua, Jammu which took life of 12.

However, the chances look bleak about stopping the cross-border terrorism, Indian Prime Minister is trying to sort out the solution through diplomatic means.

Before the meeting, he used strong language and reasserted what he had told President Barack Obama at their Friday summit about Pakistan being the "epicentre of terrorism" and how little progress could be expected in peace talks without a shut down of Pakistan's "terrorist machinery".

"State-sponsored cross-border terrorism is of particular concern to India, (also) on account of the fact that the epicentre of terrorism in our region is located in our neighbourhood in Pakistan," said the Indian leader addressing the UN General Assembly.

Noting that Sharif speaking at the same forum Friday had spoken of "making a new beginning", Manmohan Singh said he reciprocated the Pakistani leader's sentiments, and looked forward to meeting him Sunday.

"India is committed sincerely to resolving all issues with Pakistan, including the issue of Jammu and Kashmir, through bilateral dialogue on the basis of the Shimla Agreement," he said.

"However, for progress to be made, it is imperative that the territory of Pakistan and the areas under its control are not utilised for aiding and abetting terrorism directed against India," Manmohan Singh said.

Manmohan Singh's message to Sharif, who had raised the Kashmir issue yet again in an annual ritual at the UN Friday, was loud and clear.

"There must be a clear understanding of the fact Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India and that there can never, ever, be a compromise with the unity and territorial integrity of India," he said.

--With Agencies Inputs--