September 19, 2009 11:05 PM

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Pakistan must address India’s concern on terrorism: Nirupama Rao

New Delhi today asserted that Pakistan should address in full seriousness India's concerns on terrorism. Speaking to the media in New Delhi ahead of the UNGA Meet in New York and G-20 Summit in Pittsburgh next week, the Foreign Secretary, Mrs. Nirupama Rao said we cannot shut our eyes to terrorism directed against India from Pakistan's soil. India's expectations are that Pakistan should focus sincerely and meaningfully to address its concerns on terrorism directed against it from there. She said, it is the responsibility of Pakistan to stop the increasing incidents of terrorism, directed against India from Pakistan's soil.<br/><br/>Mrs. Rao said, dates are being finalised for meetings between the Foreign Minister of India and Pakistan and between her and her Pakistani counterpart.<br/><br/>Replying to a question on Pakistan's stand that stalling of the composite dialogue process would only help those elements who are against peace in South Asia, Mrs. Rao said, engagement between India and Pakistan works in the long term interest of both the countries, but the composite dialogue process is contingent on an atmosphere free from violence, Pakistan should address squarely the issue of violence from their soil.<br/><br/>On the question of ceasefire violations on the Indo-Pak border, Mrs. Rao said that there have been cases of snifer and rocket firing. There are mechanisms and the Directors General of Military Operations are in touch.<br/><br/>The Foreign Secretary, Mrs. Nirupama Rao categorically stated that there is no significant increase in the number of intrusions in all sectors of the India-China border. She was reacting to a question on media reports of increased Chinese intrusion along the Line of Control. Reiterating the stated position, she said that there is no mutually agreed delineated Line of Actual Control between the two countries. Leadership level contacts remain open at all times and there are several mechanisms on both sides to reach out each other. She clarified that there is no meeting planned between the Indian Prime Minister and his Chinese counterpart on the sidelines of the G-20 Summit.<br/><br/>Meanwhile, replying to a question on recent elections in Afghanistan, the Foreign Secretary said that India has reaffirmed its commitment of strategic partnership and infrastructural development support to Afghanistan. New Delhi welcomed the successful completion of Presidential and Provincial Elections in Afghanistan. She said that New Delhi had admired all democratic forces which have taken part in the elections. She added that both India and Afghanistan have historical relationship in the field of bilateral and mutual interest of the two neighbours.

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