Q. Will the issue of terrorism also figure in the talks?

Ans. So far as terrorism is concerned, this is very much an issue, cross-border terrorism, promotion of terrorism and the infliction of this upon India is a continuing concern and there is no way that this concern has in any fashion either been diluted or did not find prominence in what we have to say in regard to the status, the situation or the condition of minorities in Pakistan. Time permitting this will also be raised.

Q. The Japanese are expecting that the two countries will make an achievement towards establishing a common task force to jointly manage the nuclear resources of both the countries. What is your opinion on this and will there be any agreement on disarmament at the summit?

Ans. India has proposed, the Government of India has unilaterally proposed meeting of officials, also non-officials, to examine in its totality the question of confidence building measures both in the conventional field and also in the nuclear field. The conventional field is to be addressed by the two Directors General of Military Operations. The nuclear field, as to the nuclear field the Ministry of External Affairs has formally communicated what was to be communicated to the Government of Pakistan and we are very desirous of engaging with Pakistan in developing confidence building measures both in the conventional as also in the nuclear field.

Q. Mr. Minister, are there any Indian Prisoners of War in Pakistan? If there are, what are we doing to get their release?

Ans. This refers to Prisoners of War in Pakistan since ’71, as time and again we have taken up with the Government of Pakistan. I recollect very well on the last occasion when I was in Lahore, this was discussed with the then Prime Minister and an agreement had been arrived at then that time that the two sides that is Pakistan and India shall depute a Minister each who will then visit whichever jails of Pakistan are required to be visited, this was agreed upon. We prepared a schedule
of the visits also. Unfortunately, that Government is no more. We have nevertheless again taken up this issue with the Government of Pakistan. It is a humanitarian issue, deeply disturbs a number of families in India and it is a matter we will continue to persist with.

Q. The Indian position has been with Pakistan on cross-border terrorism and the control over it is a major issue. Now, in these talks, if Gen. Musharraf says that there is nothing he can do because he claims he has no control over these groups. What will then India’s position be?

Ans. We will continue to combat terrorism as we have been doing all these years. It is of course our expectation that Pakistan will recognise and address itself to the issue of cross-border terrorism, but if Pakistan is unable to or declines to, that is no reason for India to give up, we will not, because we will never compromise with terrorism or cross-border terrorism of particularly insidious variety.

Q. Yesterday the Government said that we were looking for a future dialogue mechanism with Pakistan? Is this different from a composite dialogue?

Ans. No. Because the essentials of the composite dialogue, if you examine the contents of it really is all encompassing. It covers trade and commerce, it covers rules, it covers safety, it covers Siachen, it covers confidence-building measures,
and it covers terrorism, narcotics, Jammu & Kashmir. It is both comprehensive and is composite, because we address all issues together, so that none is neglected. India will continue to abide by what we have said. Indeed the composite dialogue is a dialogue process that Pakistan too had agreed. I am astonished that now that there should be a suggestion that we abandon it.