Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan on Thursday said that India has persistently taken up with Pakistan the issue of “cross-border terrorism, including funding of secessionist and militant activities in Jammu and Kashmir, but Islamabad is yet to take any action against it.”
In written reply to aquestion in Rajya Sabha, MoS Home for External Affairs V Muraleedharan said,”Pakistan has been asked to abide by its commitment to not allow any territoryunder its control to be used for terrorism against India in any manner and takecredible, verifiable and irreversible steps in the matter. Pakistan is yet todemonstrate such steps.”
To another question on relations with neighbouringcountries, the Minister said that “with Pakistan, the government desires normalneighbourly relations and is committed to addressing all outstanding issuesbilaterally and peacefully in accordance with the Shimla Agreement and theLahore Declaration. However, any meaningful dialogue can only be held in anatmosphere free from terror, hostility and violence.”The onus is on Pakistan to create such aconducive atmosphere, Muraleedharan added.