Niaz8217;s visit eyewash 8212; 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 eyewash8217; aimed at creating an impression that Islamabad wanted to hold talks with India to resolve outstanding issues.

quot;Any attempt by Islamabad to initiate a dialogue would bear fruit only if Pakistan8217;s military ruler, Gen Pervez Musharraf8217;s intentions were sincere,quot; the senior Congress leader said. quot;India had made it clear before that talks could not be held unless Pakistan stopped supporting cross-border terrorism and its anti-India propaganda,quot; 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.