Pakistan needs to end terror for talks to begin: Rajnath Singh

Union home minister Rajnath Singh today dismissed rumours that he plans to meet his Pakistani counterpart Nisar Ali Khan, saying that terror and talks cannot go together.

Reports had cited the possibility of the two meeting on the sidelines of the SAARC conference in Nepal later this month.

In a tweet the home minister's office said that Singh was of the firm opinion that terror and talks cannot go together. "Unless Pakistan stops terrorism and violence, no dialogue is possible."

"News reports published today that Rajnath Singh will meet his Pakistan counterpart on the sidelines of SAARC conference are incorrect and fabricated," a statement from the ministry said today.

Rajnath is scheduled to visit Nepal on 18 and 19 September to attend the SAARC home ministers' conference.

Addressing a rally in Haryana yesterday, Rajnath Singh had said that India wanted peaceful relations with all countries, but it should not be treated as its weakness.

He said security forces have been directed to give a befitting reply to ceasefire violations by Pakistani forces along the LoC in Jammu and Kashmir.

''Unless Pakistan stops terrorism and violence, no dialogue is possible," the press statement said. SAARC home ministers are set to review the regional security challenges in Kathmandu on 17-19 September.