Islamabad, Dec 9 (IANS): A former Pakistani minister has alleged that India was a main hurdle in normalisation of Pakistan-Afghanistan relations, the media reported on Wednesday.

Rehman Malik, who currently serves as chairman of the Senate standing committee on interior and narcotics control, on Tuesday said the Indian leadership and intelligence agencies did not want Pakistan and Afghanistan to resolve bilateral issues through talks, Dawn reported.

Malik’s allegations came on the day when Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj arrived in Islamabad to attend the Heart of Asia conference.

He alleged that Indian intelligence agency, Research and Analysis Wing, was involved in terrorist activities in Balochistan, the Federally Administered Tribal Areas and Karachi.

He urged the government to take up the issue of Indian interference with Sushma Swaraj and show her evidence of RAW’s involvement in terrorist activities in Pakistan.

Rehman said Pakistan should raise Kashmir and water issues at the conference.

“Whenever Pakistan makes efforts to open talks with Afghanistan to resolve issues involving the two counties, Indians create hurdles,” Malik blamed.

“A peaceful Afghanistan is needed for a peaceful Pakistan,” he affirmed, adding that the latter rendered sacrifices to restore peace in Afghanistan and extended help and cooperation for reconstruction in the war-torn country.