THERE should be little argument about sitting across the table to sort out complaints between countries. That is, if the idea is to remove doubts and suspicions peacefully. Instead, New Delhi, which does not spare a chance to malign Islamabad and create problems for it, is taking shelter behind the Mumbai incidents of last November to refuse to resume the composite dialogue unless those it regards as guilty are dealt with in a manner that would please it. This is obviously unacceptable, as appropriately maintained by Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi in an interview to CNN-IBN. Rather than appreciating the response Pakistan has given to help get at the bottom of the Mumbai attack, and calming the sentiments of his people, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is voicing the possibility of 'a terrorist attack from the Pakistani soil during the Lok Sahba elections' due to begin this week. At least one did expect a seasoned politician like him to indulge in such dangerous kite flying. It should be quite clear to the Indians that terrorism is an extremely ticklish, worldwide phenomenon, and the forces of major powers are finding it hard to come to grips with it. They cannot also possibly deny the existence of widespread disaffection among the Indian population, some sections of which have been up in arms for a long time in pursuit of their demands. Under the circumstances, they not only need to see signs of trouble within their country and put their own house in order, but also display a serious sense of understanding of the problems Pakistan, itself fighting a deadly battle with militants, is facing. Besides, the prolonged existence of unresolved disputes like Kashmir generates feelings of outrage and resentment that ultimately find an outlet in militancy. The Indian leadership should realise that without a just settlement of this core issue, it would not be possible to have good relations with Pakistan. Continuing to push it under the rug on the assumption that it cannot be forced to solve it would have an ominous backlash. In the interest of about 1.3 billion people durable peace and harmonious atmosphere in the Subcontinent is a sine qua non.