'Pakistan may let Taliban use its nuclear weapons against India'

Pakistan may let surrogate Taliban use its nuclear weapons to do its "dirty work" against India in the event of escalation of tension between the two South Asian neighbours over Kashmir, a top US non-proliferation expert has suggested.

"If something broke out in Kashmir that reignited the vitriol between India and Pakistan, that could be an incident that could cause someone to make the decision," he warned

"(The Pakistanis may say) We don't want to use these weapons, but we're going to let our surrogate Taliban have access to these weapons and they'll do our dirty work," he said.
"I think one of our recommendations was to work with India and Pakistan to develop some fail-safe procedures," Graham said responding to questions from lawmakers concerned about the safety and security of nuclear weapons in Pakistan.

Although during the Cold War, the US and the Soviet Union were strong adversaries and had the capability of destroying each other, "we understood that we didn't want to allow a mis-step or an accidental event to become the ignition for such a war", Graham said.
"So we set up the red phone in the Oval Office and a whole protocol," he said referring to the report of the commission released early this year.

Noting that "none of that exists between India and Pakistan", he said: "I have felt that this may be an area in which the US and Russia together, since we developed these protocols for our own benefit and the world's benefit, might work together with India and Pakistan to try to get them to develop."

Graham said he was encouraged that within the last month India and China have started to develop some of those fail-safe procedures.

"But there's almost nothing that has been done in a similar vein between the real adversaries, which are India and Pakistan," he noted.

There is no alternative to dialogue to resolve the issues that divide us: Manmohan

NEW DELHI, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said on Saturday that India is ready to talk all issues with Pakistan, including Kashmir, in an atmosphere free from terror, reported the Press Trust of India.
This is his first comment on the Indo-Pakistan foreign secretary-level talks held earlier this week in New Delhi.
Before his departure for Saudi Arabia, Singh told a group of Saudi journalists that there was "no alternative" to dialogue to resolve issues which "divide us," said the report.
Singh said India seeks "peaceful and normal relations" with Pakistan and "in that quest we have consistently sought to engage those in Pakistan who are ready to work with us," according to the report.
The prime minister said it was in the common interest of India and Pakistan to cooperate in fighting the menace of terrorism which is a threat for both countries.

"There is no change in our position. ... We should be good neighbors. There is no alternative to dialogue to resolve the issues that divide us," he was quoted as saying.

Kashmir borders can't be redrawn, says PM Manmohan

"I have publicly stated that there can be no redrawing of borders (in Jammu and Kashmir)," the Prime Minister said.

"...but our two countries can work together to ensure that these are borders of peace, that people-to-people contacts grow in a manner in which people do not even worry whether they are located on this side of the border or that side," he told CNN in an interview aired yesterday.
"If trade is free, if people-to-people contacts (are there) and our both countries competing with each other to enable people on both sides to lead the life of dignity and self respect. Those are issues, which we can discuss, we can reach agreement," he said.

Pakistan is responsible for terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir

Blaming Pakistan for continuing its support to militancy in Jammu and Kashmir, Mr. Chidambaram said: “They [Pakistan] are training and brainwashing the youth to create mayhem in India, and there is no let-up in their support to militancy.” However, thanks to the tremendous work done by security forces, there was a marked change in the security scenario, he said. The number of violent incidents in the first nine months this year stood at 395, the lowest during the period in the past 8-9 years, he said.
He attributed the violence in the State to infiltration from across the international border and the Line of Control. Better systems to check infiltration had been put in place, and consequently there was a dip in the violence.

IED blast in Srinagar: 3 cops among 4 killed, 14 injured

Pakistani groups planning fresh attacks: Manmohan

The area of operation of these terrorists today extends far beyond the confines of Jammu and Kashmir and covers all parts of our country.

Dr. Singh told the Chief Ministers that in dealing with the terrorist challenge, “we need to be prepared for encountering more sophisticated technologies and enhanced capabilities.” He emphasised the need for guarding the sea frontier as vigilantly as the land border.

The infiltrators appeared “more battle-hardened, better equipped, and in possession of sophisticated communications.

Dwelling on the situation in Jammu and Kashmir, the Prime Minister said there were signs of a revival of over-ground militant activities. Referring to incidents in Shopian, Sopore and Baramulla, he said such isolated incidents were sought to be linked to create an impression of a groundswell of anti-national feeling. “All this shows that efforts to disturb the current status quo have not been given up. Fortunately, the annual Amarnath Yatra passed off without incident.”

Expressing concern over the growing intensity of Left wing extremism, he admitted that the problem was indeed a complex one. “There is a need for a balanced and nuanced strategy to deal with it. On the one hand, the State should discharge its responsibilities and obligations and re-establish the rule of law in areas dominated by the naxalites. At the same time, we should work towards removing the causes which lead to alienation of people and problems like naxalism.”

A terrorist is a terrorist is a terrorist: Israeli ambassador

“A terrorist is a terrorist is a terrorist. We do not accept the old idea that a terrorist for some may be a freedom fighter for others, any more,” he said, advocating a strong line against terrorists.

ISI fomenting 'chaotic activity' in Kashmir: US

Elaborating, he said the ISI has been supporting militant groups in Kashmir and the Federally Administered Tribal Area (FATA) bordering Afghanistan.

"There are discussions which have been ongoing in respect to that and the leadership recognises that and there is a big challenge dealing with that based on what their history is and what they need to do for the future," he said.

How can an insurgent group offer ceasefire to a sovereign nation

"Let there be no illusion. The terror threat to the country has not diminished. During the last six months, a significant number of potential terrorists including Madani have been arrested.

He said terror was a global phenomenon but that did not give any solace to India because "one of the epicentres of terror is the country on our border".

"As long as they indulge in murder, threat, extortion, there's no question of talking to them. How can an insurgent group offer ceasefire to a sovereign nation," he said ridiculing reports that government would accept ceasefire offer by DHD-J alias "Black Widow" militant group in Assam.

The Home Minister said the government has two-pronged approach to deal with the Left Wing extremism -- clear and hold the territory held by Naxals and then carry out development. "We will face the challenge squarely," he said.

Kashmir-----I think it is an issue. It's a delicate and sensitive issue

"It's one that — we would diplomatically encourage that the Pakistanis and the Indians first of all improve their relationship, their ties, their trade, their exchanges, to foster peace and more prosperity in that area between their two countries," he said.


"I think it has been an extremely sensitive hotspot for the world and for the region, where we've almost experienced thermonuclear war on several occasions," said the former lawmaker who was the president of the Centre for National Policy (CNP), a Washington, D.C.-based national security think tank at the time of his nomination.

New Delhi has never said no to talks with Islamabad

That is the only thing India is asking for and we are waiting." "I have repeatedly said that it has to be visible and it has to be credible. There must be some commitment on the part of Pakistan that they are going after the Mumbai attackers," he underlined.

On suggestions from the international community that India should talk to Pakistan, Mr. Krishna said New Delhi has never said no to talks with Islamabad.

"India has never said no to talks with Pakistan. India has taken a very consistent position that we will talk. But we will talk about terror. We will discuss about terror. India is ever willing to talk about terror," he underlined.

"I do not know whether I would agree with the projection that Kashmir is the key among Indo-Pak issues.

The Pakistanis weren't there then.

An ingenious example of speech and politics occurred recently in the United Nations Assembly that made the world community smile.

A representative from India began: 'Before beginning my talk I want to tell you something about Rishi Kashyap of Kashmir, after whom Kashmir is named. When he struck a rock and it brought forth water, he thought, 'What a good opportunity to have a bath.' He removed his clothes, put them aside on the rock and entered the water. When he got out and wanted to dress, his clothes had vanished. A Pakistani had stolen them.' The Pakistani representative jumped up furiously and shouted, 'What are you talking about? The Pakistanis weren't there then.' The Indian representative smiled and said, 'And now that we have made that clear, I will begin my speech. 'And they say Kashmir belongs to them...................................................

Terrorism is not simply the enemy of America — it is a direct and urgent threat to the Pakistani people-------Jones

Terrorism is not simply the enemy of America — it is a direct and urgent threat to the Pakistani people.

Dialogue is the only solution to the Kashmir problem

"Pakistan should show more action on Mumbai terror attack before the dialogue process starts. Pakistan Prime Minister has been saying for long time that Kashmir is a core issue and he will continue saying this in future as well," Mr Abdullah, president of National Conference told reporters.

However, he said he firmly believed that dialogue was the only solution to the Kashmir problem and was hopeful that the Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari would meet Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who will visit Moscow soon.

Violence no solution to 'political problems': Zardari

He urged India to avoid imposing any conditions for resuming the composite dialogue, pointing out that Pakistan is itself a victim of terrorism and had condemned terrorist attacks in India.

Mufti demands withdrawal of Special Powers Act

Kashmir most important issue in South Asia: Ban Ki-moon