Cross-border terrorism hinders regional cooperation: India

New Delhi, Nov 17 (PTI) In an apparent reference to
Pakistan, India Tuesday said cross-border terrorism and anti-
India activities from neighbouring territories have impacted
on the process of South Asian regional cooperation at all
levels.
Indian External Affairs Minister S M Krishna said
India was willing to take responsibilities asymmetrically and
in a non-reciprocal manner for the benefit of the countries in
the region but the prospects for cooperation have "become
captive to the security situation".
"Issues such as cross-border terrorism and incidents
of anti-India activities from territories of our neighbouring
countries have impacted on the process of regional economic
engagement, connectivity and people-to-people contacts," he
said.
Krishna was addressing the South Asian Economic
Integration conference organised by Federation of Indian
Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), South Asian
Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) and the ministry.
"Whereas prospects for cooperation are bright, a
realistic assessment indicates that these prospects have, to
an extent, become captive to the security situation," he said.
Stressing the need for "South Asia to move beyond
security issues that shackle it, into an era of mutual trust
and mutually reinforcing growth and development", the Minister
said SAARC countries represent one-fifth of humanity and it
was only through closer economic cooperation that the
region's full potential could be harnessed. MORE