India, Pak to resume ‘comprehensive talks’: Sushma

India on Monday asserted that the decision to re-start talks with Pakistan was based on “trust” and said the intent would be to have an “uninterrupted” dialogue process despite provocations by the “saboteurs”, an apparent reference to terror groups.

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, while briefing Parliament on her recent visit to Pakistan, justified the decision to have “Comprehensive Dialogue”, saying there is a “need for bridging the gulf” with the neighbouring country for peace and stability in the region.

Answering critics, she said in the latest arrangement, the level of talks on terror has been raised as this issue will now be dealt with by the National Security Advisers (NSAs) instead of Foreign Secretaries as earlier. Swaraj, who sought the support of Parliament to the latest initiative with Pakistan, made suo motu statements in both the Houses and answered questions posed by members in the Lower House like whether Pakistan could be trusted particularly since history shows that dialogue has been accompanied by attacks.