May 21, 2008	Wednesday	Jamadi-ul-Awwal 15, 1429

NEW DELHI, May 20: Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has said that though India and Pakistan had come closer together and developed a better understanding of each other through the peace process but recent insinuations from the Indian side about cross-border terrorism could vitiate the atmosphere.

Speaking to The Hindu correspondent in Islamabad on Monday, Mr Qureshi disapproved of Indian concerns on the recent ‘reported activities’ of the United Jihad Council and other banned groups in Pakistan.

He said he wanted “to approach this meeting in a positive manner” and “such insinuations and statements will vitiate the atmosphere”.

Pakistan itself was a victim of terrorism, he said. “We are also suffering on account of terrorism. I lost my leader (Benazir Bhutto) on account of terrorism; we had a number of casualties in Mardan yesterday (Sunday) on account of terrorism,” Mr Qureshi said.

He had condemned the Jaipur blasts “not just because it was the right thing to do, but because I felt about it — human lives were lost, innocent people suffered, and I felt very, very strongly about it.”

Mr Qureshi, who was part of the track two diplomacy of the India-Pakistan peace process, said Pakistan was “very keen” about tackling the menace of terrorism.

“We have co-operated with our friends and allies and our partners. And India is a country we have very good and friendly relations with, and we will, and we are willing to cooperate with India on this and we expect the same from them,” Mr Qureshi said.