Firm steps against infiltration to continue: MEA

India will continue to take “firm and decisive” steps against all attempts of militant infiltration till Pakistan initiates “credible and irreversible” action to end cross-border militancy and dismantles miliatnt infrastructure in the territory under its control, the External Affairs Ministry said on Thursday.

Replying to a question in the Rajya Sabha, Minister of Statein the Ministry of External Affairs, V Muraleedharan, said the governmentdesires normal neighbourly relations with Pakistan and is committed toaddressing all outstanding issues bilaterally and peacefully in accordance withthe Simla Agreement and the Lahore Declaration.

   

“However, any meaningful dialogue can only be held inan atmosphere free from terror, hostility and violence. The onus is on Pakistanto create such a conducive atmosphere,” he said.

“India has asked Pakistan to take credible andirreversible steps to end cross-border terrorism and dismantle terroristinfrastructure in territory under its control. Till then, India will continueto take firm and decisive steps to respond to all attempts at cross-borderterrorist infiltration and supporting cover fire by Pakistan forces,”Muraleedharan said.

The minister said that as a result of the government’spersistent efforts, there is enhanced concern in the international communityover militancy emanating from Pakistan, including the continuing activities ofinternationally designated entities and individuals such as Jamaat-ud Dawa(JuD), Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), Jaish-e-Mohammed and Hizbul Mujahideen.

“International community strongly condemned the attackin Pulwama in February 2019. Many countries have called upon Pakistan to notallow its territory to be used for terrorism in any manner,” he said.

“Many terrorist entities and individuals who findshelter in Pakistan and are also engaged in terrorism against India have beenproscribed by the United Nations (UN), the European Union and othercountries,” Muraleedharan said.

He said India’s call to condemn terrorism in all forms andmanifestation, zero tolerance on terrorism, rejection of any justification foran act of terror, delinking terror from religion, need for all forces believingin humanity to unite in fight against terrorism has found greater acceptanceamong the international community.”It is reflected in a number of outcomedocuments issued after bilateral summit meetings with various countries, and atregional and multilateral fora, such as Shangai Cooperation Organization, G20,BRICS, among others,” he said.

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