India PM defends move to improve ties with Pakistan

[Coventina]

Source: Reuters

NEW DELHI, July 29 (Reuters) - Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh defended efforts to improve ties with Pakistan on Wednesday in a sign the government is moving towards resuming a stalled peace dialogue with Islamabad despite opposition pressure.

Singh made a spirited defence of a joint statement he signed with Pakistani counterpart Yusuf Raza Gilani this month agreeing to delink the issue of terrorism from a broader peace process halted by India after November's attack on Mumbai.

India broke off a five-year-long formal peace process after the attacks on Mumbai by Pakistan-based militants who India says must have been helped by Pakistani security agents.

Islamabad denies state agencies had any role in the attacks that killed 175 people.

Singh's move was slammed by opposition leaders as diluting India's stand linking a resumption of peace talks to Pakistan acting against the planners of the attack.


Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/latestCrisis/idUSDEL508780