Terror infrastructure in Pak stumbling block in ties: Krishna

New Delhi, May 23 (PTI) As he prepares to assume
charge, India's External Affairs Minister S M Krishna Saturday
termed terror infrastructure in Pakistan as a "stumbling
block" in improvement of bilateral ties and said Islamabad
should take steps to address it so that the neighbours can
live in peace.

Krishna, who was named as External Affairs Minister
earlier in the day, made it clear that he would work for
pushing ties with neighbours and consolidate relations with
rest of the world, including the US, Russia, China, Japan and
European Union.

In his first interaction with media after his
appointment, he said India wanted to have friendly and
peaceful relations with its neighbours as it was essential for
its main goal of achieving the economic growth rate of 9 to 10
percent.

To a question on Pakistan, Krishna, who will take over
on Monday, said "we stand ready to extend our hand of
friendship and partnership with Pakistan. It may take
determined and credible action to dismantle the infrastructure
of terrorism that is operating there.

"That has been a stumbling block (in improvement of
relations). It is for Pakistan to take these necessary steps
(to dismantle terror infrastructure) so that all of us can
live in peace."

Dealing with Pakistan and cross-border terror will be
one of the immediate challenges for Krishna.

After the Mumbai terror attacks in November last year,
India has been maintaining immense pressure on Pakistan to
take credible action against those behind the carnage and
dismantle the terror infrastructure.

"We cannot change our neighbours, we have to live with
it... Generally, we would like to live in peace with
neighbours. That has been our desire and we are pursuing
that," the new External Affairs Minister said.

To a question on Sri Lanka, he made it clear that the
Mahinda Rajapaksa government should look into the root causes
of the 26-year-old conventional war which has just got over
and address the aspirations of the Tamil population.

"It is our view that as the conventional conflict in Sri
Lanka comes to an end, this is a moment when the root causes
of that conflict will have to be addressed.

"This would include political steps towards effective
devolution of power within the Sri Lankan constitution so that
Sri Lankans of all communities, including Tamils, can feel at
home and lead lives of dignity at their own free will," he
said.

"India will work with the people and government of Sri
Lanka to provide relief to those affected by the tragic
conflict and to rapidly rehabilitate those who have been
displaced, bringing normalcy to their lives as soon as
possible," he said.

Reading out from a statement, Krishna said he was
conscious of the opportunites and challenges being pursued in
the country's independent policy of peace and development and
strengthening of strategic autonomy.

"We are at a moment in history when the world situation
is rapidly changing and India, as a responsible power, must
engage actively with the world," the External Affairs Minister
said.

"I accord highest priority to strengthen our political,
economic and cultural relations with our neighbours and look
forward to visiting them soon," he said.

He said that in the coming years, under the stewardship
of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, it would be his endeavour to
further advance the country's interest in the international
arena.

The aim of sustaining high rates of economic growth in
the range of 9-10 per cent would require peace and tranquilty
and in this regard government's high priority would be to
strengthen the political and economic relations in its
extended neighbourhood, Krishna said.

He said it would also be his priority to strengthen the
strategic partnership with major powers like the US, Russia,
Japan, China and the EU.

"Our warm and traditional ties with Africa, West Asia
and Latin America will be strenghtened," he said adding he was
looking forward to the challenging task of pursuing
non-aligned policies. PTI