Terrorism has to be dealt with firmly: Krishna

External Affairs Minister SM Krishna on Monday said terrorism has to be dealt with firmly for the common good of India and Pakistan.

In a statement issued before leaving on a three-day visit to Myanmar, Krishna said, "This menace has to be dealt with firmly and transparently, for the common good of India and Pakistan, as well as the region beyond." 

"We hope to narrow the trust deficit between our nations and pave the way for normalisation of relations by addressing all outstanding issues and concerns, particularly those pertaining to terrorism," he added.

Emphasising the need to be patient, realistic and positive, Krishna said, "We owe it to ourselves and generations to follow, to do what it takes to embark on the path of peace and development".

"As Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh has said, on more than one occasion, peace and prosperity of South Asia is interlinked," he added. 

He said the next round of foreign secretary level talks between India and Pakistan would carry forward the dialogue process.

"We also expect to have a meeting of foreign ministers of India and Pakistan by July this year," he added. 

The foreign secretary-level talks come after a series of high-level meetings between both nations on key issues like security, water and trade and commerce.

India and Pakistan resumed their comprehensive dialogue on all issues earlier this year, more than two years after the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks. 

The decision to resume talks was taken after the prime ministers of both nations met on the sidelines of the Thimpu South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation Summit.