We welcome resumption of dialogue with Pak: Sonia

Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Thursday came out in strong support of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's India-Pakistan joint statement. Clarifying her party's stand over the joint statement and Pakistan policy, Sonia said, "The Prime Minister made a firm and unequivocal statement in Lok Sabha yesterday. No one should be in any doubt on our party's position vis-a-vis Pakistan."

"We support the resumption of the dialogue with Pakistan but only after it has demonstrated its seriousness to bring the perpetrators of 26/11 attackers to justice," she said. The Congress president said these were imperative for restoring confidence and building an environment conducive to any meaningful dialogue.

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No cooperation from Pak on Dawood: Krishna

India has been asking Pakistan to hand over 42 fugitives including Dawood Ibrahim but Islamabad has refused to cooperate, External Affairs Minister S M Krishna told Rajya Sabha Thursday. Replying to questions, he said a list of 42 fugitives both Indian and Pakistani nationals, including ones involved in the 1993 Mumbai series bomb blasts and the 26/11 terror attacks in Mumbai, has been given to Islamabad.

Krishna said whatever evidence and dossier is given, Pakistan's refrain is that it is not enough and cannot be proven in court of law.

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Total anarchy in Law and order and fiscal health in Punjab, alleges Amarinder

The former chief minister Capt. Amarinder Singh on Wednesday said that Punjab state has been heading towards anarchy of law and order and financial emergency. The present SAD government does not have any moral duty to rule in the state, he however did not demand resignation of Punjab Government but hinted that when condition deteriorate further Centre may take any step.

He was here to address series of meetings in favour of Congress Candidate Deepinder Singh Dhillon. He was accompanied by the Union minister of Ministry of External affaires and his wife Preneet Kaur.

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Bharti-MTN deal not finalised yet: Govt

Talks between India's Bharti Airtel and South Africa's MTN that could eventually lead to a full merger of the two firms have not been finalised yet, Corporate affairs Minister Salman Khurshid said on Thursday.

Khurshid said this in a written reply to a question in Parliament on whether the deal had been finalised or signed. The minister noted any proposal to change the equity shareholding of the company would need government approval.

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Isner upsets Baghdatis, Safin advances in LA

Big-serving American John Isner continued his red-hot run at the LA Open with a commanding 6-3, 7-6 victory over Cypriot Marcos Baghdatis in the second round. A day after eliminating seventh-seeded German Benjamin Becker, Isner overcame former world number eight Baghdatis with another confident display at the LA Tennis Center.

Although Baghdatis saved five match points in the second set tiebreak, the six-foot-nine American scraped through 13-11 to seal the win in one hour 50 minutes.

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