PM rejects third party mediation

The two discussed matters concerning the U N and the role the security council members could play in addressing the concerns expressed by India over the existing nuclear non-proliferation regime.

Sources said when the secretary general referred to talks between New Delhi and Islamabad, the Prime Minister told him that India was fully committed to friendly and cooperative relations with all its neighbours.

quot;We want a relationship based on trust and friendship with Pakistan and India has always pursued the path of bilateral dialogue with that country. All outstandingissues can only be addressed bilaterally and there is no role for any third party mediation,quot; he told Annan.

The rejection of third party mediation assumes significance in the wake of reports of U S convening a meeting of the five permanent members of the U N to persuade New Delhi and Islamabad to resume dialogue on contentious issues including Kashmir. Vajpayee recalled India8217;s proposals to Pakistan in Dhaka for resumption of foreign secretary-level talks in January this year.

New Delhi was still awaiting response from the other side. The Prime Minister said India had legitimate security concerns that went beyond South Asia and this must be recognised. quot;Our policy programme has always been open, legitimate and indigenous, and not clandestine,quot; he said.

The sources said the secretary general welcomed the pronouncements by New Delhi after the tests that included confidence building measures like voluntary moratorium under which India would refrain from conducting tests and the willingness to participatein the negotiations on Fissile Materials Cut-off Treaty FMCT in the conference on disarmament in Geneva.