NEW DELHI: Slamming Pakistan’s “selective approach” in tackling terrorist groups, India has made it clear that there is a need for “an environment free from terror and violence” for any dialogue to be meaningful.
In its annual report released today, the Defense Ministry said terror camps exist in Pakistan and its “selective approach” in tackling terrorist groups will not serve the interests of the region and Islamabad itself as “these organizations pose a danger to its own internal security”.
“India wishes to develop peaceful, friendly and cooperative ties with Pakistan. However, security concerns vis-a-vis Pakistan have remained due to continued activities of terrorist organizations functioning from territories under its control.
“India has clearly indicated that we are willing to resolve all issues through a peaceful and bilateral dialogue process. However, for this dialogue to be meaningful, an environment free from terror and violence is needed,” it said.
India has voiced serious concerns over Pakistan not acting against 26/11 mastermind Hafiz Saeed who is being allowed to carry out anti-India activities with impunity.
The report noted that during the DGMO-level talks in Pakistan held in December, Pakistan had expressed its commitment to ensuring ceasefire and peace and tranquility on the Line of Control.
“However, the existence of terrorist camps across the Indo-Pak border and the LoC and the continued infiltrations and incidents there demonstrate the challenges in this regard,” the Ministry said.
On the terror situation in Jammu and Kashmir, the report said it was “stable but fragile” and terror infrastructure across the border remains intact.
“Pakistan’s support to the proxy war being waged in the state continues. The Pakistan-Terrorists-Separatists nexus continues its attempts to undermine the democratic process in the state,” it said.
“The situation in Jammu and Kashmir is at crossroads and needs consolidation by synergized efforts of the security forces and the civil administration,” it said.
Addressing armed forces troops yesterday in Ladakh, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had hit out at Pakistan for continuing its proxy war of terrorism against India saying it has lost the strength to fight a conventional war.
“The neighboring country has lost the strength to fight a conventional war, but continues to engage in the proxy war of terrorism,” he had said.
The foreign secretaries of two countries are slated to meet on August 25 in Islamabad. The report said the number of ceasefire violations was relatively much higher in 2013 in comparison with the previous years but it has come down after the DGMO-level talks held in December 2013.
On the situation in Afghanistan, the report said it requires “close monitoring” and warned Army’s counter insurgency force Rashtriya Rifles to be alert to stop the spillover of terrorists from Afghanistan in view of the withdrawal of American troops from there.–PTI
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