Resumption of dialogue between nuclear-armed India and Pakistan is high on the agenda of visiting United States undersecretary for political affairs William Burns. With the Pakistani military taking on the Taliban and al Qaeda in tribal areas, it is imperative for the success of president Barack Obama’s Af-Pak policy that the Pakistani army does not get distracted by tension with India.
Burns, in India on a three-day visit to lay the groundwork for secretary of state Hillary Clinton’s visit possibly in the third week of July, called on foreign minister SM Krishna on Wednesday. He also dropped in to see home minister P Chidambaram. Earlier in the day, he held extensive talks with foreign secretary Shiv Shankar Menon.
“We will support more dialogue between the two countries,” state department spokesman Ian Kelly said ahead of the visit. “I am sure Burns will talk about this, among many issues on his agenda,” Kelly said.
Prime minister Manmohan Singh had said in Parliament on Tuesday that New Delhi was willing to talk peace once again with Pakistan. But he made it clear that it “needs two hands to clap”.
While India is keen to resume composite dialogue, without a reciprocal gesture on Indian concerns it will be impossible to do so. Islamabad has given no indication that it is serious about New Delhi’s concerns. Nor has it taken action to track down those responsible for the Mumbai terror attacks. Without Pakistan doing so, it will be impossible for Singh to convince domestic public opinion that the time has come to talk.
The message is being conveyed to Burns by ministers and officials in New Delhi. Burns will call on the prime minister on Thursday, before going to Mumbai to meet business leaders.
