Aditi Tandon,Tribune News Service,New Delhi, December 16

Ruling out war as the only option available to deal with Pakistan-sponsored terror in India, the government today said it was hopeful of resolving all outstanding issues with the neighbouring country through dialogue.Exuding hope of positive outcomes from the just resumed comprehensive bilateral dialogue with Pakistan, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj today told the Lok Sabha that talks were always resumed on the basis of renewed hope in its ability to deliver the desired results.“War is not the only option when we (India and Pakistan) have started afresh and decided that we will resolve our issues through dialogue. We have made a new beginning, a new start and hope to eliminate the shadow of terrorism through dialogue,” Swaraj said in the Lok Sabha during the Question Hour when BJP member from Satna Ganesh Singh asked her pointedly if India would consider eliminating terrorists in Pakistan the way US eliminated Osama bin Laden sheltered in the neighbouring country.The minister, however, reiterated India’s stated position on a dialogue with Pakistan saying talks and terror could not go together.“We have said repeatedly that talks and terror cannot go together. The PM has best articulated this position by saying that the sound of talks will get drowned in the noise of bombs. Talks and terror cannot go together but then let us talk on terror. That is why the NSAs of the two countries met in Bangkok to discuss these issues. But one meeting is not enough. We have to continue to talk,” Swaraj said.

There’s no good or bad terrorism: Pak diplomat

• Pakistan High Commissioner Abdul Basit has said there is no difference between “good and bad terrorism”. His comments signal perhaps a change in the long-held Pakistan policy of differentiating between a “good terrorist” and “bad terrorist” or, as in the case of Afghanistan, between “good Taliban” and “bad Taliban”. India has always maintained that this is a flawed approach and can never be successful in fighting the global menace of terrorism. — Simran Sodhi