Asked about the promise made by Pakistan Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani of forming a committee to look into alleged ISI involvement in the Kabul Indian embassy bombing, Malik said, "It would be formed after evidence is provided to us. If we get evidence, we will certainly get to the bottom of this. Do not forget we have been victims of terrorism also. It is in our own interest to get to the bottom of this."

Malik also said: "That (ISI involvement) has been sort of denied by Pakistan and with good authority. There is no truth in that. There is no Pakistani agency that is involved that is being referred to."

On the recent ceasefire violations by Pakistan along the Line of Control [Images], Malik said there have been charges, counter-charges and accusations on both sides.

Malik suggested that there was firing from the Indian side also. "We would like to see why such accusations are made. We have told the Indian government that we have lost troops. There was firing from across the Line of Control."

On whether the ceasefire violations, which India puts at 20, would in any way affect the relations between the two countries, Malik said, "Between the two prime ministers and foreign ministers, there is a desire to carry the dialogue process forward. We want to get going on various issues which are pending on both sides. The November 2003 ceasefire understanding is the biggest confidence building measure between India and Pakistan. We have every intention to respect it and no intention to violate it."

Malik said the issue was discussed between the prime ministers of the two countries: "After the last meeting in Colombo, I think the record has been set straight. There is a desire between the two countries to carry the process forward."

Malik felt that Indo-Pak relations were "not under stress". Foreign Secretary Shivshankar Menon has said the dialogue process between the two countries was "under stress" and incidents like the one in Kabul posed difficulties.