Pakistan has not kept its word on combating terror: Mukherjee

Dubai, Feb 26 (PTI) Pakistan's failure to keep its
commitment of not allowing its territory to be used for
terrorism has put "at risk" the "substantial gains" made
during the last few years of the Composite Dialogue process,
India's External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee has said.

In an interview to Dubai-based Khaleej Times, Mukherjee
said the bilateral talks have been put on hold, with no
meeting held or scheduled between the two neighbours.

He also said that the progress in bilateral relations
depends on Pakistan's response to India's demand for action
against terrorists based in that country.

"Our composite dialogue process, started in 2004, was
premised on this commitment. Clearly, Pakistan has not kept
its word. The composite dialogue process with Pakistan has
been paused. No meeting has taken place and neither are any
scheduled," he said.

According to Mukherjee, "substantial gains, made during
the last four or five years, in normalising our relations, are
at risk".

"Future progress in our bilateral relations depend on
Pakistan's response, not only in words, but also through
substantive actions," he told the paper.

For India, he said, "logical conclusion" means
perpetrators of terrorist acts are brought to book and terror
network and infrastructure dismantled completely.

Mukherjee described Pakistan's admittance that elements
in the country were involved in the Mumbai terror attacks and
the arrests made as "positive first steps," but said India
expects its neighbour to act against the perpetrators on the
basis of information shared.

He also said that India is yet to receive any response
from Pakistan on the issue of an independent investigation
into the bombing of New Delhi's embassy in Kabul in July last
year.

"Soon after the attack on our Kabul embassy, Pakistan
Prime Minister promised Indian Prime Minister that he would
have an independent investigation conducted. To date we have
not received any response," he said, adding,"we can't bear the
brunt of their (Pakistan's) internal situation".

Mukherjee, however, said the issue of terrorism is a
"global" menace and should not be looked through the prism of
India-Pakistan relations.

"... terrorism is a global issue. Terrorists have no
ideology or religion. Terrorism is the biggest threat to world
peace and security. It needs to be countered firmly by the
entire international community," he said.

Mukherjee also expressed gratefulness "for the tremendous
outpouring of support from our friends in the international
community, including the US," in putting pressure on Pakistan,
following the Mumbai terror attacks.

He also maintained that India has an independent foreign
policy, based on its national interests.

"Our relations with the US, as with other countries in
the world, are determined by our national interests. The US is
our largest trading and investment partner. The Indo-US
nuclear deal is a result of the trust and confidence that the
two countries repose in each other," Mukherjee said.

Pointing out at India's relation with the US, he said the
Indian IT industry exports 60 per cent of its services to the
US and there is a 2.5 million strong Indian community in
America.

Mukherjee also reiterated Indian government's position on
Kashmir as an integral part of India. "It is a bilateral issue
between India and Pakistan, to be resolved through direct
dialogue. There is no place for any third party involvement in
India-Pakistan ties," he said. PTI CORR
PMR
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