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WikiLeaks Says Indian PM 'Isolated' on Pakistan


Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh gestures during a conference in New Delhi (file photo - February16, 2011)
Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh gestures during a conference in New Delhi (file photo - February16, 2011)

Diplomatic cables obtained by WikiLeaks say India's prime minister was isolated from fellow government officials in his support for pursuing dialogue with India's longtime rival, Pakistan.

The August 2009 cable quoted U.S. Ambassador Timothy Roemer, who said Prime Minister Manmohan Singh remained a "great believer" in talks with Islamabad, but was isolated within his own government for holding this view.

The report was published in The Hindu newspaper, which gained access to U.S. diplomatic cables from the website WikilLeaks.

In the cable, the U.S. ambassador noted how Singh's willingness to enter into peace negotiations with Pakistan was in stark contrast to India's National Security Adviser M.K. Narayanan.

Last month, the Indian prime minister told parliament that South Asia will not realize its potential until bilateral relations with Pakistan are normalized.

Singh noted India is willing to discuss all outstanding issues with Pakistan, and expressed hope that Islamabad would stop militants from using its territory for terrorist activity directed at India.

In February, India and Pakistan decided to restart a peace process that was stalled following the 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks, which killed 166 people. India blames militants based in Pakistan for the three-day siege.

Some information for this report was provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.

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