External affairs minister S.M. Krishna said on Friday the thrust of the latest round of secretary-level talks between India and Pakistan was to forge better understanding not only on bilateral but multilateral issues as well.
Speaking to reporters here, he said the talks would help open up two-way traffic of litterateurs, students, and others, and lead to an ideal backdrop for cordial relations with Pakistan.
“People to people relationship is the basic to any relationship between two nations. It is necessary that our thrust should be to workout a reasonable understanding between us (India and Pakistan), so that we live as good neighbours. That’s what the Prime Minister has said and overwhelming majority of people in India wanted,” he added.
Asked whether the nature of relationship was undergoing a change following resumption of talks, he said “India has always extended its hand to Pakistan. The substantive dialogue that was going on ended abruptly because of the attack on Mumbai (26/11). All of us have to learn from whatever has happened, and to prevent such attacks,” he added.
Mr Krishna thanked Pakistan for its role in rescuing Indians onboard MV Suez, adding that officers of the Indian Navy would be willing to join hands with their Pakistan counterparts for joint offensive against pirates on high seas. “We will work on that. It is necessary that both our naval forces should cooperate and work together,” he added.