INDIAN PM AIMING TO BUILD TRUST WITH SHARIF: KHURSHID
ê the “bacteria” of anti-India terrorism rooted in Pakistan must be eliminated whether “it is state-sponsored, state-controlled, state-mandated or state-encouraged” and should not be allowed to grow
September 30, 2013, (The Hindu) Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who met Nawaz Sharif here despite strong criticism from opposition back home, wants to “trust” the new Pakistan Prime Minister and give him a chance to “walk the talk” on stopping ceasefire violations and terror activities against India.
Stating this, External Affairs Minister Sal- man Khurshid underlined that while “seeking to trust” Mr. Sharif, India will “verify” the actions on the ground before taking any step further on resuming the stalled dialogue process.
In an interview to PTI here, Mr. Khurshid said the “bacteria” of antiIndia terrorism rooted in Pakistan must be eliminated whether “it is state-sponsored, state-controlled, statemandated or state-encouraged” and should not be allowed to grow and destroy the “sapling” of “creative constructive relationship.”
“Our Prime Minister wants to give him (Sharif) a chance, wants to trust him. But as he (Singh) has said we have to verify,” said Mr. Khurshid while defending Singh’s meeting with Mr. Sharif despite opposition BJP contending that it was not the right time as Pakistan was engaging in ceasefire violations.