Government of India on Wednesday said that meaningful dialogue with Pakistan can only be held in an atmosphere free from violence and asserted that the onus was on Islamabad to create such a conducive atmosphere.
In a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha, minister of state for external affairs VK Singh said continued “cross-border violence emanating from Pakistan remains a core concern for India”.
“India has repeatedly called upon Pakistan to abide by its commitment not to allow any territory under its control to be used for violence against India in any manner,” Singh said in response to a question on whether Indo-Pak relations have been very tense in the last three years.
“The government desires normal neighbourly relations with Pakistan and is committed to addressing all outstanding issues bilaterally and peacefully in accordance with the Simla Agreement and the Lahore Declaration,” he said.
To another question on whether neighbouring countries have illegally encroached upon Indian territories, Singh said Pakistan “has been in illegal occupation of approximately 78,000 sq km of Indian territory in Jammu and Kashmir”.
China has been in illegal occupation of approximately 38,000 sq km in Jammu and Kashmir, since 1962. In addition, under the China-Pakistan ‘Boundary Agreement’ signed between China and Pakistan on March 2, 1963, Pakistan illegally ceded 5,180 sq km of Indian territory in Pakistan-administered Kashmir to China, he said.