Crucial to get momentum in Indo-Pak talks: Khar

Pakistan's newly appointed Foreign Minister Hina Rabani Khar following bilateral talks with her Indian counterpart S M Krishna on Wednesday speaks about engagement with India, 26/11 trial and her first official visit to India in this exclusive interview with CNN-IBN.

Edited excerpts:

When asked about Pakistan's engagement with India, Khar said:

This is a new engagement. I talked about this process being uninterrupted. Because the momentum takes time to pick up.

We talked about change in mindset and that's important (with Foreign Minister S M Krishna). This relationship (between India and Pakistan) has been plagued by historical baggage which has been too burdensome. The baggage contains few issues very difficult to address and few which are easier to deal with. So it's important to get momentum in talks. You should have a workable relationship. A condition of trust is a prerequisite for talks.

Please ...

When asked about the 26/11 terror attacks trial in Pakistan, Khar said:

Today if there is a country which deals with terrorism on a daily basis and whose people are affected on an hourly basis it's Pakistan. It's in Pakistan's interest to deal with this (terrorism) head on.

Trials are judicial processes which take time and a quick trial is in Pakistan's interest. Compared to the Samjhauta express trial, this trial is in much progress. The judicial commission is due to visit India and that will be a major step in this process going forward.

When asked about action against Jamaat-ud-Dawa chief Hafiz Saeed, she said:

This is dealt by the interior ministry (in Pakistan). They have discussed it in greater detail a few days back and I don't want to waste more time on that.

When asked about her experience in diplomatic affairs, she said:

If 'experience' is to be measured by age, I may not be the oldest person around. (But) I've been twice elected and has served two terms in the executive.

It's a pleasure to serve as a junior minister (in Pakistan foreign ministry) in this position where you get time to learn on the job.

On her meeting with the Hurriyat leaders, she said:

We should not hold things against each other accountable which have a stated position. We should move forward.

It's Pakistan's stated position (on Kashmir) and that is based on the United Nations resolution. What I've received from your prime minister (Dr Manmohan Singh) and foreign minister in New Delhi, reassures me that both the countries are consistent in taking this relationship to a new level. I'm more confident about that.

On addressing core issues, Khar said:

If we are taking small steps today, we can build more trust and confidence tomorrow. I got reciprocity in the views from your leaders that I brought from our leadership.

I'll go with the reciprocity I got from your people that is reflected in our people. So that's to me is a confidence building measure.