KRISHNA 2LST

"I think the recent meeting at Thimphu between the
two Prime Ministers has created somewhat of an atmosphere
where we can discuss with Pakistan without any inhibitions,"
Krishna said.
Singh and Gilani had met on the sidelines of the SAARC
Summit in Thimphu in April, where the two leaders had asked
their Foreign Secretaries and Foreign Ministers to reduce the
trust deficit between the two countries.
On reports that Pakistan was considering action against
Jamaat-ud-Dawa and the Lashkar-e-Taiba after a wave of terror
attacks in Lahore, Krishna said he had read "sketchy reports"
to that effect and would wait for details before making any
comments in this regard.
"Well, I have read some sketchy reports about some
action against some organisations. We are awaiting greater
details," he said.
Krishna said he will also discuss issues like trade,
people-to-people contacts and student and teacher exchanges
and anything else that can come up in his talks with Qureshi.
On increasing trade through the Wagah border, he said the
matter can be looked into depending on how the talks proceed.
"Well, that is one of the options that is available.
Depending upon how the talks proceed, perhaps we will have to
evolve strategies for that," Krishna said when asked about
increasing trade via the Wagah border.
On the Iran-Pakistan-India (IPI) gas pipeline, he said
the security aspect and pricing of gas were the two key
concerns that were coming in the way of a "quick decision".
"We cannot afford to have a project in which (the gas
procured) cannot be sold to the consumer. This has to be kept
in mind," Krishna said. "All these will have to be studied
very carefully before we take a view on it."
The Iran-India Joint Commission meeting is scheduled to
take place later this week and the IPI issue is expected to
come up for discussion.
"I myself was in Iran and had very useful discussion and
and the Joint Commission has been set up with the whole idea
to resolve bilateral issues of these kind," he said.
On India's bid for a permanent seat in UNSC, the minister
said if there is one country in the world which has impeccable
credentials for a permanent membership of the Security
Council, it is unquestionably India.
There are a number of countries which have been
wholeheartedly supporting India's claim to be a member of the
Security Council, he said.
"I am sure that the powers that be would have taken note
of this growing momentum. Going back to the fundamentals,
India believes the global need is to reflect the contemporary
realties of the world.
"We cannot be governed by the Charter which was worked
out in mid 1980s. We are in the 21st century. It is incumbent,
wise, and necessary to make appropriate changes so that these
organisations become more effective and more creditworthy," he
said. PTI