British Prime Minister David Cameron has said that Islamabad must do more to crack down and eliminate terror groups operating in Pakistan. Addressing a joint press conference with the Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh after their talks in New Delhi last evening, Mr Cameron said that he will have open and frank discussion on the issue with Pakistan President when he meets him next week. In reply to question on the criticism by a Pakistani official of his comments that Pakistan must stop exporting terror, Mr Cameron said, no-one is in “any doubt” that there are terrorist groups operating in Pakistan. He said this is not acceptable. Mr Cameron said there is a need to work with Pakistan to shut them down. He said, while action is being taken by Pakistan but we need to see more. He also endorsed India’s stand that no cause is good enough to justify terror. Dr Manmohan Singh for his part expressed the hope that that Pakistan will honour its commitment not to allow its territory to be to be used for terrorists activities against India. He said, Pakistan should be as serious in tackling terrorism on its western border as the Eastern border. Earlier, in his opening statement, the Prime Minister said India and Britain agree that terrorism constitutes the single biggest threat to the region and to open and pluralistic societies like ours. He said the two sides have agreed to further intensify our cooperation in the area of counter-terrorism. The two sides also decided to double their trade in five years. They also agreed on specific initiatives in the areas of economy and trade, science and technology, energy, education, defence, culture and people to people contacts. They also decided to constitute an India-UK CEOs Forum and an India-UK Infrastructure Group. It was also decided to launch a new phase of the UK-India Education and Research Initiative. Earlier, India and Britain signed an MoUs on Cultural Cooperation. This will provide a framework for a significant expansion of the rich cultural exchange between India and the UK. Dr Manmohan Singh also hosted a banquet in honour of the British Prime Minister. In his speech at the banquet, Dr Singh said he is convinced that there is a genuine mutual desire to renew, revitalize and recharge bilateral relationship between India and Britain.He said, a strong and diversified economic partnership is the key to a mutually beneficial special relationship. He however said there is much more that can be done in other areas such as education, scientific research, counter-terrorism, clean energy and culture. He said there is a need to deepen mutual understanding in our strategic and security partnership.
News On AIR | July 30, 2010 1:08 PM
Islamabad must do more to eliminate terror groups operating in Pakistan: British PM