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| Terror stumbling block in Indio-Pak ties: SM Krishna | | | AGENCIES
New Delhi, May 23: As he prepares to assume charge, External Affairs Minister S M Krishna has termed terror infrastructure in Pak as a "stumbling block" in improvement of bilateral ties.
Addressing his first press conference after being appointed Foreign Minster, Krishna said, “Pak and Lanka are our priority.” Adopting a tough line on Pakistan, the minister said, “Pak should take credible action to dismantle terrorist outfits.” He, however, added, “We cannot change our neighbours but peace with Pak is key.”
On the future of the stalled peace process with the western neighbour, the former Karnataka chief minister said, “Pak inaction on Terrorists will be a stumbling block in peace process.”
On Lanka, he said that devolution of powers within Sri Lankan Constitution will address the root causes of conflict in that country. He also added that India will actively engage in Lanka to protect Tamils and will extend for rebuilding the lives of Sri Lankan Tamils.
Krishna expressed desire for stronger ties with the US and said, “Government's priority is to strengthen political and economic ties with neighbours and strengthen existing strategic partnership with major powers like US, Russia, Japan, China and EU.
In a statement read out to reporters, Krishna said he was conscious of the opportunites and challenges being pursued in the country's independent policy of peace and development and strengthening of strategic autonomy.
In the coming years, under the stewardship of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, it would be his endeavour to further advance the country's interest in the international arena, he said.
The aim of sustaining high rates of economic growth in the range of 9-10 percent would require peace and tranquilty and in this regard government's high priority would be to strengthen the political and economic relations in its extended neighbourhood, Krishna said.
"Our warm and traditional ties with Africa, West Asia and Latin America will be strenghtened," he said adding he was looking forward to the challenging task of pursuing non-aligned policies.
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