Talks only after 26/11 issues dealt with: India to Pak

He maintained that India and Pakistan had made progress in their relationship before the Mumbai attacks as they dealt with issues bilaterally.

“It is hard for any external source to replace” the bilateral process,he told reporters here when asked to comment on US President Barack Obama’s intention to engage in “constructive diplomacy” between India and Pakistan.

“We need two hands to clap. Third hand will not be helpful,” Menon said.

Asked about Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari’s emphasis on the need for early resumption of composite dialogue,the Foreign Secretary said,”our present position is we are looking at bringing perpetrators of Mumbai attacks to justice and credible action by Pakistan to dismantle terror infrastructure from where Mumbai attacks and earlier attacks in India were carried out. We are waiting.”

To a question,Menon underlined that action by Pakistan has to be “credible in our view”. “Unless it is credible,it is not worth it. We want to see action,” he said.

At the same time,he said,”We are not setting down markers or timelines” and that India wanted to see its expectation being met.

Welcoming the intent of the new Afghan-Pakistan policy unveiled by Obama last week,he said that for India “links” between Pakistani establishment and terror elements is a “cause of concern” and “we will welcome whatever anybody can do to cut those links”.

Menon said that the problem as well as its diagnosis was well known but different countries might have different approaches.

US special envoy Richard Holbrooke will be visiting India and discussions will be held with him on this issue.

Menon said India was shocked and saddened at the attack on the police academy in Lahore but refused to hazard a guess at this stage about who is responsible for it.