The Hindu Business Line : PM sets terms for talks with Pakistan

THE Prime Minister, Mr Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who left on a eight-day three-nation tour of Germany, Russia and France on Tuesday, made it clear that though India wanted to start talks with Pakistan "as soon as possible", as a pre-condition, "cross-border terrorism should end and terror infrastructure dismantled" for a meaningful dialogue to begin.

Responding to questions by newspersons at the IGI Airport as to by when talks between the two countries are likely to begin, Mr Vajpayee said, "we want it to be as soon as possible" and expressed confidence that an atmosphere would soon be created for that.

The first leg of his tour will take Mr Vajpayee to Germany where he is scheduled to have talks with Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder focussing on Iraq, the war led by the US and its allies and on ways to rebuild the war-ravaged country. Issues pertaining to security and trade are also likely to come up during the discussions.

Noting that his visit to Germany was pursuant to the agreement with Chancellor Schroeder to have summits each year, Mr Vajpayee said he hoped to discuss "concrete measures to strengthen our political and economic cooperation and our collaboration on global issues such as international terrorism and the WTO" with the German leaders.

A large Indian business delegation from the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) will also be in Germany during Mr Vajpayee's visit as a part of its efforts to try and woo foreign investment and promote greater economic ties between the two countries.

In Russia, the Prime Minister will join the other heads of state and government from 42 countries, invited to the celebrations to mark the 300th anniversary of St. Petersburg. Mr Vajpayee is expected to have one-on-one meetings with the British Prime Minister, Mr Tony Blair, during this leg of his trip, apart from meeting the Chinese President, Mr Hu Jintao, in Moscow.

"I will attend these celebrations along with heads of state and government of a number of countries from the G-8, Europe, former Soviet Union and China. Besides joining the celebrations, I hope to have the opportunity of bilateral meetings with a number of world leaders", Mr Vajpayee said.

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