India rejects Pakistan talks offer

Haider: invitation extended for talks

NEW DELHI, India -- India's hardline home minister has shunned an invitation to visit Pakistan for talks.

Indian Home Minister L.K. Advani on Saturday dismissed a potential visit as "unecessary", saying Islamabad should end "cross-border terrorism" before bilateral talks are resumed.

"I am glad (to get an invitation), but on behalf of the country I can say that given our past experience, talks are not necessary," Advani said at a parade for a paramilitary force near New Delhi.

Pakistani Home Minister Moinuddin Haider extended the invitation through Indian Information Minister Susma Swaraj, who is attending the seven-nation South Asian ministerial conference on information and communications in Islamabad, Reuters news agency reported.

"What is necessary is that Pakistan should prove that it is honest about ending cross border terrorism," Advani said.

Since a failed summit between Pakistan military ruler General Pervez Musharraf and Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee in the Indian city of Agra last July, Islamabad has issued a series of invitations to Indian leaders, all of which have been rejected.

Advani, 75, is responsible for India's internal security and Kashmir affairs, an issue at the heart of more than 50 years of animosity between Pakistan and India.

Interpol notices

He reiterated India's demand that Pakistan hand over 20 men accused of terrorist and criminal acts in India.

"Even the Interpol had issued red-corner notices for them (20 men). At least Pakistan should fulfil its obligation to the Interpol and hand them over to us," the Press Trust of India (PTI) quoted Advani as saying.

The nuclear-armed foes have massed close to a million troops on both sides of their borders, following an attack on India's parliament last December that New Delhi blamed on Pakistan-based Kashmiri rebels.

India says it will not pull its forces back until militants stop sneaking into Indian-ruled Kashmirin from Pakistan and Islamabad hands over the fugitives.

India and Pakistan have fought three wars since independence in 1947, two over the disputed Himalayan region of Kashmir.

India rules about 45 percent of the Kashmir region, Pakistan around a third and China the remainder.

Pakistan denies India's accusations, saying it only extends political, moral and diplomatic support for an indigenous Kashmiri rebellion.

More than 33,000 people have died since 1989 when Muslim rebels seeking either independence or union with Pakistan launched a revolt in Kashmir. Separatists put the toll nearer to 80,000.