India rejects the idea of engaging mediators to resolve the crisis with Pakistan, believing that Islamabad needs to make specific steps to combat terrorist groups based on its territory, Indian Ambassador in Russia Bala Venkatesh Varma told Sputnik in an interview
MOSCOW (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 02nd March, 2019) India rejects the idea of engaging mediators to resolve the crisis with Pakistan, believing that Islamabad needs to make specific steps to combat terrorist groups based on its territory, Indian Ambassador in Russia Bala Venkatesh Varma told Sputnik in an interview.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Thursday that Moscow would organize a platform for the India-Pakistani talks if the two states express willingness to negotiate the dispute.
"I need to clarify that there's been no formal offer of mediation. And even if it is made, we will not accept it. No country has offered to mediate between India and Pakistan ... There was a telephone conversation between [Russian] President [Vladimir] Putin and [Indian] Prime Minister [Narendra] Modi last evening, and the point of mediation was not mentioned at all," the ambassador said.
Russia's position is very supportive of India's actions, he noted.
Pakistan should take actions against terrorist groups on its territory, the diplomat added.
"We are always ready for a dialogue with Pakistan in an atmosphere free of terrorism," the ambassador said.
