BJP opposes PM's meeting with Musharraf in Havana

DEHRADUN: The BJP on Sunday opposed Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's scheduled meeting with Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf on the margins of the NAM Summit in Havana on September 15-16.

Addressing a press conference at the conclusion of the party national executive, BJP president Rajnath Singh said, "there should be no talks between Prime Minister and President Musharraf till Pakistan destroys terror camps on its soil".

Foreign Secretary Shyam Saran said on Friday that resumption of Foreign Secretary level talks will depend on satisfactory outcome of the meeting between Singh and Musharraf and Islamabad's willingness to eliminate cross-border terrorism.

Saran said, "Both Singh and Musharraf are very conscious of the importance of the Indo-Pak relations and both leaders are committed to taking forward the dialogue and peace process.”

"But at the same time, there is recognition that unless the issue of terrorism is addressed by Pakistan in a substantive way, it will be difficult to ensure the success of the dialogue process," Saran added.