'We reject third-party mediation in ties with Pak'

India today rejected the idea of any third-party mediation in its relations and talks with Pakistan, saying it wanted no interference from China or any other country.

"We are not in favour of involvement of any third country in our talks. (It will be) only bilateral," Defence Minister A K Antony said reacting to Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehood Qureshi's suggestion that China has a 'blank cheque' from Pakistan's side to play a role in improving Indo-Pak ties.

"India's basic policy is we don't want interference from any country in our bilateral talks with Pakistan. We do not believe in third party mediation," he said when asked to respond to Qureshi's statements made in Beijing.

India is scheduled to hold foreign secretary-level talks with Pakistan on February 25 in which terrorism would top the agenda. Qureshi has said Pakistan has given a 'blank cheque' to China to play a role in improving the Indo-Pak ties and it is for India to decide whether they would be comfortable with Beijing acting as a 'third party.'