'Dialouge must be based on civilised behaviour'

Sonia Gandhi, heading India's ruling Congress party, yesterday said dialogue with immediate neighbours must be based on accepted principles of civilised behaviour, an apparent reference to Pakistan's recent offer for talks to descalate tension along the border.
"Better and closer relations with our immediate neighbours will not only make for regional peace - they will also have a positive impact on some of our own border states.
"However, let us be clear. Our dialogue must be based on accepted principles of civilised behaviour. We will never compromise on our vigil and preparedness to deal with terrorism and threats on our borders," she said in her address at a brainstorming meeting of top Congress leaders in Jaipur, Rajasthan state.
Her remarks came as Indian External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid, speaking on the sidelines of the Congress meet, noted to mediapersons the "positive indications" from Pakistan and said India will give an "appropriate" response if Islamabad makes a formal proposal for talks between the foreign ministers of the two countries.
He was asked by on the offer of Pakistani Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar for discussions following tension at Line of Control (LoC). Khar had made the offer in a statement two days ago.
Sonia Gandhi said India's foreign policy has always had a vision of the country occupying its "rightful place" and exercising its "unique influence" in world affairs.
"That place and that influence will be significantly enhanced by successfully overcoming poverty, improving our secular values, strengthening our democratic institutions and engaging constructively with the international community," she said.