Terrorism emanating from Pakistan part of Foreign minister's dialogue: Nirupama Rao

Describing terrorism emanating from Pakistani soil as "real concerns", Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao said the issue is part of the Indo-Pak Foreign Minister level dialogue which resumes next month.

The parleys primarily aim at "bridging" the "trust deficit" between the two South Asian neighbours.

"There are very real concerns about terrorism emanating from the soil of Pakistan that is being directed against India.

It forms very much the part of the dialogue that we are conducting and hope to take forward with Pakistan," Rao told in response to a question at an event organised by the Brookings Institute - a Washington-based think tank - and the Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Reiterating the Government of India position, Rao said New Delhi is committed to resolve all its issues with Pakistan through dialogue.

"The issues between India and Pakistan exits they have to be resolved through dialogue between India and Pakistan," she said adding that there are very real outstanding issues that need resolution.

"Recently our Prime Minister has taken the initiative to reach out to Pakistan and offer to resume dialogue.

As you know, the Foreign Ministers (of the two countries) would meet in Islamabad on 15th of July.

We want to address the issue of trust deficit with Pakistan and to look at how we can take this dialogue," Rao said in response to a question.

Earlier, Rao said the scheduled November visit of the US President, Barack Obama, would take the endeavour to strengthen Indo-US relations to greater heights.

"The transformation of our relationship is taking place against the backdrop of India's initiatives to reform its economic and the geo-political changes in the post-cold war world," she said.

Rao said there is increasing convergence of interest on major global issues - the imperatives of a multi-polar and inter connected world today set the stage for us to address global challenges - whether it be the rising threat of terrorism and extremism or ensuring a balance, equitable, sustainable development for all, energy security and food security for both our people and around the globe.

"We see the United States as a friend and a valuable partner in our developmental efforts," she said, adding that there is a sense of destiny about what the two countries do in this partnership.

"While there are no major irritant in our relationships, we need to ensure that our partnership does not become hostage to regional dynamics and we realise its full potential," Rao said.

"The question of reform of the UN Security Council and the expansion of its membership is an important item on the agenda of our dialogue, as we seek US support for India's place for permanent membership of the UN Security Council," she said.

"In our neighbourhood, we have a vision for enhanced South Asian co-operation for development.

That vision is, however, challenged by violence and terrorism which originates in our region and finds sustenance and sanctuary there.

The recent failed terrorist attack at the Times Square in New York has again revealed the global reach of terrorist organisations," she said.

"Whether it be the Lashkar-e-Taiba, the Jaish-e-Mohammed, Al Qaeda or the Taliban, all these groups are driven by a similar ideology.

An ideology that is opposed to freedom, to democracy, to development, and to peaceful resolution of differences," Rao said.

"Our two countries - India and the United States -have a vital interest in defeating terrorism and in ensuring that the safe heavens and breeding grounds cease to exits.

In this context our bilateral cooperation in counter terrorism is crucial.

Our concerns in this area is shared and our co-operation in information sharing and improving our infrastructure to resist and deal with terrorism is of great
relevance," the Foreign Secretary said.