Rejecting the US advice to India to resume dialogue with Pakistan after the killing of 24 Kashmiri Pandits, External Affairs Minister Yashwant Sinha on Saturday said it was "as gratuitous and misplaced" as New Delhi asking them to open dialogue with Osama bin Laden and Saddam Hussein.

In an interview to BBC World, Sinha said no international war on terror could succeed unless the western alliance helps put an end to Pakistan-sponsored terrorism in Kashmir.

He, however, welcomed the joint statement issued by the US Secretary of State Colin Powell and the British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw on Thursday asking Pakistan to take steps to effectively check cross-border infiltration.
 
"This statement is more reflective of the situation on the ground and takes into account India's long standing concerns," he said.

Sinha said "there are times when the international community takes into account India's concerns and puts pressure on Pakistan. For sometime it has the desired effect. But as soon as the international attention wavers from this region, Pakistan starts again," he said.             

Sinha said at the end of the day it is India's war against terror and Delhi realises it will have to fight it alone.

When asked about reports in a section of the press -- attributed to Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee -- that India has refused help to the US in the ongoing war against Iraq, he said "no help was asked and none was offered."

On efforts to bring peace to Middle East, he said Delhi was still hopeful and in touch with other countries opposed to this war.

"There is a lot of behind the scene activity going on in New York and we are trying our best. I can't divulge more details right now," he said.

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What do you think about the story? Read what others have to say: Number of User Comments: 22 Sub: US advice Why our FM can't under stand that US & UK are sponser of Regime in Pakistan, and why we cann't tackle Pakistan diplomatically.on our own ... Posted by Anantha Sub: What's wrong with Sinha ? Hey, what is wrong with the BJP. The PM states some time back that he refused to help Bush with his war effort and now ... Posted by Ashok Sub: We all talk but do no action I do not understand why have been keeping quite for so long,I think our patience has been tested to far and I don't think that ... Posted by Tarun Sub: Article : US advice gratuitous: Sinha Refering the Indian minister's statement: "Sinha said at the end of the day it is India's war against terror and Delhi realises it will have ... Posted by Anil Tiwari Sub: take a walk USA 1. War is unjustified as it is clear now that Iraq doesn't have WMD. If it had would have used now 2. Clearly shows USA ... Posted by jagdish