Pakistan has to dismantle terror infrastructure, says Pranab

Kolkata, Mar 1 (PTI) Keeping up the pressure on Pakistan
to stop terrorist activities originating from its soil,
Indian External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee Sunday said
Islamabad has to cooperate fully to bring to justice
those responsible for the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack.

"Pakistan must dismantle the infrastructure used by
terrorist organisations in its territory to root out terrorism
from the region," Mukherjee said inaugurating an international
conference on 'Cooperative development, peace and security in
south and central Asia' here Sunday.

"Terrorism, extremism and fundamentalism are posing a
serious threat in our region. The 26/11 attack is one more
example of terrorism in our region," he said.

It is an imperative that all governments act to see
terrorism rooted out, he said.

Pointing out that internal stability in the neighbouring
countries is in India's interest, Mukherjee said growth and
peace were related to development.

The minister said physical connectivity, banking
facilities and simplifying transit facilities were imperative
for development of the region.

Physical connectivity of all SAARC countries and its
observer countries like Myanmar are on the roadmap for
increasing trade and ensuring development.

While the Kabul-Herat Road has been completed connecting
Afghanistan to Iran in its west, work was on for a road
connection to Myanmar and Thailand through Mizoram in the
North-East of India, Mukherjee said.

On Nepal, where a Maoist government come into power after
years of unrest in the Himalayan country, Mukherjee said, "We
remain committed to supporting the government of Nepal and the
transition to a democratic form of government."

Commenting on the Indo-Pak relations, he said, "The
Mumbai terror attacks have placed the dialogue process with
Pakistan in stress, but we have consciously decided not to
discontinue people-to-people contact, rail and bus
connections."

Saying India has friendly and cooperative relations with
central Asian countries, the minister observed that the
importance New Delhi puts on its cooperation with them is
reflected in the fact that Kazakhstan President Nursultan
Nazarbayev was the chief guest at this year's Republic Day
parade and celebrations in the national capital. PTI AMR
SAK
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