PAK-RAO TWO

"There is a growing consensus that the increase in
terrorist activities in Afghanistan is linked to the support
and sanctuaries available in the contiguous areas of Pakistan.
Increased terrorist violence in our neighbourhood is a cause
for grave concern," Rao said in the address on Tuesday.

"That these forces operate across boundaries with
impunity was evident in the November 2008 terrorist attack on
the city of Mumbai," she said.
Rao said it is equally critical for the US and the global
community to pay adequate attention to and realise the
situation both in Afghanistan and Pakistan and that the
cross-border terrorism that emanates from Pakistan against
India are manifestations of the use of terrorist ideologies to
promote unscrupulous political or institutional agendas.
Talking about the challenges and opportunities presented
by India's land and sea borders, she said the challenge is
security-related.
It involves addressing the clear and present danger of
terrorism and religious extremism from across the borders,
illegal immigration, smuggling of arms and fake currency, as
also unsettled boundaries, the last being particularly the
case with India's largest neighbour China, Rao said.
"China's demonstrable economic strength and its growing
military capabilities are a matter of fact and we must
incorporate such factors into our calculus of the emerging
21st century scenario in the Asia Pacific," she said, adding
that China was now the largest trading partner of India. MORE
PTI PYK
RBT


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