India explains concerns on Pakistan talks

NEW DELHI, June 11 (UPI) -- India says cross-border terror attacks it contends originate in Pakistan must stop before talks between the two neighbors can resume.

"The most important point is that terror which has been unleashed from the soil of Pakistan directed against India has to be stopped," Indian Foreign Minister S.M. Krishna told reporters Wednesday in New Delhi after meeting with U.S. Under Secretary of State William Burns, the Press Trust of India reported.

"(All) instrumentalities of terrorism which are aimed at India, which is emanating from the Pakistani soil, will have to be dismantled and perhaps then a favorable climate, atmosphere would have been created for the dialogue to be resumed between Pakistan and India."

Burns's visit comes at a time when India remains concerned about what it claims is Pakistan's failure to act against those behind the terror massacre last November in Mumbai. Talks between the two countries were canceled after that incident.

Burns also held talks with Indian Foreign Secretary Shiv Shankar Menon and Home Minister P. Chidambaram.

Burns said India is a major foreign policy priority for the United States, other reports said.

The Calcutta Telegraph quoted government sources that Burns, while urging Menon to restart the talks, assured the United States was pressing Pakistan to bringing those responsible for the Mumbai attack to justice.