Kicking off a four-day Indian Heads of Mission conference, External Affairs Minister S M Krishna made it clear that a meaningful dialogue with Pakistan was contingent upon it fulfilling its commitment of not allowing its territory to be used for terrorist activities against India. New Delhi also said that while Islamabad had made some movement in that direction, it is yet to take steps to stop infiltration and dismantle the terror infrastructure.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will have an hour-long interaction with the Indian envoys - over 100 of them - on Tuesday morning in Vigyan Bhawan. Sources said he is not expected to speak from a prepared text and has already indicated that he wants a “freewheeling” discussion with India’s top diplomats. In fact, at the insistence of the Prime Minister, there are three sessions on the international financial situation, India’s neighbours and Asia Pacific security over the next three days which will be thrown open for “experience-sharing” by the concerned envoys. There will also be separate sessions on increasing security in missions and developing cybersecurity systems.

Elaborating on India’s position vis-a-vis Pakistan, Krishna said, “On several occasions we have conveyed to the Pakistani leadership our desire to engage in meaningful discussions and to develop our bilateral relations in a positive manner. At the same time, we made it clear that a meaningful dialogue will only be possible following the fulfillment by Pakistan of its commitment not to allow its territory to be used for terrorist activities against India. Pakistan must honour the pledges made in this regard,” he said.

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