Talks between India and Pakistan cannot resume until Islamabad takes credible action to dismantle the terror network on its soil and brings the perpetrators of the Mumbai attacks to justice, Foreign Secretary Shivshankar Menon said on Monday.

Addressing a press conference, he disapproved of mediation by the US or any other country, saying the best results flowed from bilateral efforts between India and Pakistan. “It is hard for any external source to replace (the bilateral process),” he said when asked to comment on US President Barack Obama’s intention to engage in “constructive diplomacy” between India and Pakistan.

The foreign secretary said “clear linkages” between the Pakistani establishment and terrorists has been a cause for concern. “It is now clear what the problem is. Different countries may have different approaches to solve it. That is a different issue. We will continue our conversations with the world and we are looking forward to the visit of US envoy Richard Holbrooke next week,” he said.

Security discussions: Menon said Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, apart from the global financial crisis, would also discuss security in South Asia with the US president and other international leaders on the sidelines of the G20 meeting in London. He said India welcomed the new US strategy for Afghanistan and Pakistan, saying “the very clear expression of will to carry through the struggle against extremism” is welcome.

Menon said India’s position on the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) has not changed. “We would not stand in the way when the CTBT actually stands for disarmament. And that linkage is very important for us. We are not sure whether this treaty stands for in its present form. We are still watching the process. Other countries are evolving their views,” he said. He also said India would welcome NATO forces and others using the Zaranj-Delaram road linking Afghanistan to the Iranian Chabahar port.

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