India open to engaging with Pakistan provided it responds positively: Rajnath Singh

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday indicated that the Indian Government is open to engaging with Pakistan in a meaningful dialogue if it responds properly. "Definitely, if they respond properly, then I think we once again can have talks with them. One can change friends, but not a neighbour. We also want to have better relations with our neighbours," the Home Minister told ANI here.

Earlier, Pakistan's High Commissioner to India, Abdul Basit, had stated that both countries should make a new beginning by going past the narratives of the past and find avenues to move forward. He also said that when the two countries come together, then the sky is the limit. India had cancelled foreign secretary-level talks that were scheduled to be held in Islamabad on August 25 between two countries after High Commissioner Basit held parleys with Kashmiri separatist leaders in New Delhi.