In a befitting reply to Pakistan over its remarks that they want strong relations with India, Army Chief General Bipin Rawat on Friday said that 'terror and talks' cannot go together.

"They (Pakistan) are saying that you take one step, we'll take two. There is a contradiction in what they are saying. One step from them should come in a positive manner and then we will see if the step has an effect on the ground. Till then our nation has a clear policy-terror and talks cannot go together", General Rawat said.

Reacting to Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan's statement that they want strong relations with India, General Rawat said: "Pakistan has made its state an Islamic state. If they have to stay together with India, then they've to develop as a secular state. if they are willing to become secular like us, then they seem to have an opportunity".

Earlier on Wednesday, speaking during the inaugural ceremony of the historic Katarpur Sahib Corridor, PM Imran Khan said that India and Pakistan cannot advance until breaking the shackles of the past. "We want strong relations with India", he declared.

Imran Khan also stated that all institutions and political parties are on the same page. “If India takes one steps Pakistan will take two,” he said.

Ties between India and Pakistan nosedived following a spate of terror attacks on Indian military bases by Pakistan-based terror groups since January 2016.

Following the strikes, India announced it will not engage in talks with Pakistan, saying terror and talks cannot go hand-in-hand.