Niaz’s visit eyewash — Chavan

NANDED, APRIL 6: Former Union Home Minister S B Chavan has said the recent visit of former Pakistani foreign secretary Niaz A Naik to New Delhi was only an `eyewash’ aimed at creating an impression that Islamabad wanted to hold talks with India to resolve outstanding issues.

"Any attempt by Islamabad to initiate a dialogue would bear fruit only if Pakistan’s military ruler, Gen Pervez Musharraf’s intentions were sincere," the senior Congress leader said. "India had made it clear before that talks could not be held unless Pakistan stopped supporting cross-border terrorism and its anti-India propaganda," he further added.

He also said the Naik visit, which India said had nothing to do with the so-called track two diplomacy, should be seen in the backdrop of US President Bill Clinton asking Islamabad to stop supporting violence and create conditions for resumption of talks with India.