No talks with Pakistan unless stern action on Mumbai terrorists taken

India has rejected any back channel talks with Pakistan and said no meaningful bilateral dialogue can take place unless Islamabad take action against the Mumbai attack suspects. External Affairs Minister S M Krishna articulated India's position after his two-hour talks with his Pakistani counterpart Shah Mahmood Qureshi in New York last night. During his meeting with Mr Qureshi, Mr Krishna emphasised the need for Pakistan to act speedily against those responsible for the Mumbai attack including its master mind Hafiz Saeed. He said Pakistan has assured for speedy trial of 26/11 Mumbai attack suspects. Mr Krishna told reporters that India is greatly concerned about the groups operating from the soil of Pakistan and conveyed this to Mr Qureshi. The External Affairs Minister said, Mr Qureshi did not insist on fixing a date for resumption of composite dialogue. To a question, Mr Krishna said the Balochistan issue did not figure during the talks. He described the meeting as useful and candid.