The terrorist attack in Mumbai should not be looked at through the prism of India-Pakistan relations, says India's Pranab Mukherjee.
In an interview with Dubai's daily Khaleej Times the Indian external affairs minister said on Thursday that terrorism was a global menace and terrorists had no allegiance to a particular country or doctrine. It is the biggest threat to world peace and security and must be "countered firmly by the entire international community".
Mukherjee said he doubts the sincerity of the present Pakistani government to combat terrorism, citing a recent agreement with an extremist group. He said there is a change of tactics in the Pakistan government. The banned groups "are not just tolerated, but even allowed to flourish...can we take it as an unambiguous position against terrorism?" asked Mukherjee.
Islamabad was asked to deliver on its commitment to prevent terrorism directed at India from its territory. But this has not led to any tangible result. He said Pakistan solemnly committed to India "on January 6, 2004 and on September 24, 2008, at the highest level", and it is clear that Pakistan has not kept its word. "It is the sovereign duty of Pakistan to act against those on its territory who commit terrorist acts elsewhere."
Mukherjee elsewhere stressed that India is ready to share whatever it can in response to Pakistan's request for further information and material relating to the investigation of Mumbai terrorist attack. However, he said, the process should not be allowed to "become an end in itself".
He said that India was aware of the "internal complexities" of Pakistan but it cannot bear "the brunt of their internal situation". But all the same, he affirmed India's support for the people of Pakistan, saying India wants the democratic government of Pakistan to succeed.
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