Onus on Pak to create environment for normal relations: Govt of India

India has conveyed to Pakistan that it wants normal neighbourly relations with it in an atmosphere free from violence, and the onus is on Islamabad to create such an environment, the Government said in Lok Sabha on Wednesday.

In a written reply to a question, Minister of State forExternal Affairs V Muraleedharan listed a number of developments, including FATFnotifying Pakistan in the ‘grey list’, as a vindication or India’s consistentstand that internationally designated militant groups and individuals continueto operate from and raise financial resources with impunity in the neighbouringcountry.

   

They are using territories under Pakistan’s control forcarrying out cross-border militancy in India and elsewhere in South Asia, hesaid.

The Minister said the government has consistently raised theissue of cross-border militancy and placed high emphasis on internationalcooperation in combating the menace including in bilateral, regional andinternational fora.

Asked about steps for garnering global support for Indiaagainst militancy, he said as a result of government’s persistent efforts,international community has shown understanding of India’s position.

“There is enhanced concern in the international communityover the militancy emanating from Pakistan, including the continuing activitiesof internationally designated terrorist entities and individuals includingJamaat-ud Dawa (JuD), Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), Jaish-e-Mohammad, and HizbulMujahideen,” Muraleedharan said. “This manifested in international supportafter the cross border militant attack in Pulwama in February 2019,” he said.

Major partner countries have also called on Pakistan to endimmediately the support and safe havens provided to militant groups operatingfrom territories under its control and take meaningful action against thesegroups, he said.

“In the aftermath of the cross-border attack in Pulwama, UNSecurity Council condemned in the strongest term the heinous and cowardly act,”the minister said.

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

“On May 1, the United Nations 1267 Sanctions Committeedesignated Masood Azhar, the leader of Jaish-e-Mohammad as a UN proscribedterrorist,” he said.

The Financial Action Task Force (FATF), at its plenary inJune 2018, notified Pakistan in the ‘grey list’ due to continuing militantfinancing related concerns, including with respect to the UN proscribedterrorist entities like LeT, JuD and Falah-i-Insaniyat Foundation, he said.

“These vindicate India’s consistent stand thatinternationally designated militant groups and individuals continue to operatefrom and raise financial resources with impunity in Pakistan, and useterritories under its control for carrying out cross-border militancy in Indiaand elsewhere in South Asia,” Muraleedharan said.

“India’s call to condemn militancy in all its forms andmanifestation, zero tolerance to it, rejection of any justification for an actof terror, delinking terror from religion and need for all forces believing inhumanity to unite in fight against terrorism has found greater acceptance amongthe international community,” he said.

Asserting that government follows zero tolerance policy tocross-border militancy, Muraleedharan said necessary measures are taken toprevent and deter cross-border militant infiltration.

Close and effective coordination between intelligence andsecurity agencies at the Centre and the state level is maintained in order toavert militancy related incidents in the country, he said.

“The government has conveyed to Pakistan that itdesires normal neighbourly relations with Pakistan in an atmosphere free fromterror, hostility and violence. The onus is on Pakistan for creating such anenvironment,” Muraleedharan said.

In his reply to another question, the minister said 83missing Indian defence personnel, including prisoners of war, are believed tobe in Pakistan’s custody.

The government has consistently taken up the matter ofrelease and repatriation of these missing Indian defence personnel withPakistan through diplomatic channel, the minister said.

However, Pakistan has not acknowledged the presence of anyIndian prisoner of war or missing Indian defence personnel in its custody, sofar, he said.

There are 64 Indian and believed-to-be Indian civilianprisoners and 209 Indian and believed-to-be Indian fishermen in Pakistan’scustody, he said.

As a result of persistent efforts, the government hassecured the release and repatriation of 2,110 Indian prisoners, includingfishermen, from Pakistan’s custody since 2014, Muraleedharan said.

In a written reply to another question on Indian fishermen,he said from time to time, Indian fishermen along with their boats areapprehended by authorities of neighbouring countries for allegedly fishing intheir waters.There have been few reports of Indian fishingboats being attacked by Pakistan authorities, the Minister said.

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