ANALYST VIEW: Indian and Pakistani leaders meet in Russia
(Reuters) - Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh told Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari on Tuesday the territory of Pakistan must not be used for terrorism.
The two men were meeting on the sidelines of a conference in Russia, their first meeting since last November's attacks in Mumbai.
Following are some comments from analysts:
PAKISTANI FOREIGN MINISTER SHAH MEHMOOD QURESHI:
"This is not a Pakistan-specific issue. It's a regional issue, it's a global issue and the world recognises it. Unfortunately, Pakistan itself is a victim of terrorism. This meeting itself is a development. I see it as a positive development."
NARESH CHANDRA, FORMER INDIAN AMBASSADOR TO THE U.S.:
"One should not read too much into the meeting as the conditions necessary for productive talks do not exist at the moment. The minimum conditions necessary for dialogue do not exist at the moment and the faction ... attacking India and Afghanistan are being left alone."
RETIRED PAKISTANI GENERAL TURNED Defense ANALYST KAMAL MATINUDDIN:
"One cannot expect any breakthrough in just one meeting. They have started talks, they may discuss resumption of the peace process, but it will take time. Let's see what happens. There is American pressure and they may discuss the resumption of composite dialogue, but it's premature to say that composite dialogue will start."
AMULYA GANGULI, INDEPENDENT POLITICAL ANALYST, INDIA:
"India is still very suspicious as Pakistan has been unable to convince India and Indians whether Zardari is in charge of the country, or the army is. India has to keep on urging Pakistan to take care of the militant groups, and Pakistan now has to convey to India that it is seriously taking action. A breakthrough leading to talks still seems to be a long-term process."
SHASHANK, FORMER INDIAN FOREIGN SECRETARY:
"These talks will encourage the civilian government in Pakistan to strengthen the civilian hierarchy. India is trying to say that it will find it difficult to restart the dialogue until Pakistan aggressively weeds out terrorist groups and pro-terrorist elements."
B.G. VERGHESE, INDEPENDENT STRATEGIC EXPERT:
"India is trying to tell Pakistan to take credible steps and it is desirable that India and Pakistan should meet. As far as India is concerned, Pakistan must do something. What India wants is tangible action, and it might happen.
"If we dismiss the civilian government with contempt, then it strengthens the position of the militants."
(Reporting by Bappa Majumadar in NEW DELHI and the ISLAMABAD bureau; Editing by Jerry Norton)
