India is committed to building a relationship of trust and mutually beneficial cooperation with Pakistan, but Islamabad should take credible and effective action against jihadi leader Hafiz Saeed and terror groups such as the Jamaat-ud-Daawa and the Lashkar-e-Taiba, who continue to incite violence and hatred against it.
This was stated by External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna in Parliament on Wednesday while making a suo motu statement on the July 27 talks he had with his Pakistan counterpart, Hina Rabbani Khar, here.
Mr. Krishna said Pakistan was asked to probe the links between some elements in its security agencies and some individuals that had emerged from the evidence presented in the Tahawwur Rana trial in the U.S.
India underscored the importance it attached to the fulfilment of commitments made by Pakistan during the Home Secretary-level talks in March 2011 on the trial under way in Pakistan in the 2008 Mumbai attacks case. Islamabad was asked to act on the assurance given in June 2010 on the dossiers regarding seven individuals and need to provide voice samples.
Mr. Krishna said he also conveyed India's displeasure at Ms. Rabbani meeting Hurriyat leaders here on July 26 even before bilateral discussions between the two governments began. For that, she said Pakistan wanted to engage all stakeholders.
Quoting Ms. Rabbani on the 2008 Mumbai attacks trial in her country, Mr. Krishna said she requested India to have patience, trust and confidence in the process.
“According to her, Pakistan was not trying to abdicate responsibility.” She said it was not Pakistan's policy to support terrorism in any country.
The talks were held in a candid, friendly and positive atmosphere and India reaffirmed its desire to work with Pakistan to reduce the trust deficit and move forward in a friendly manner.
“I conveyed that India desires a stable and prosperous Pakistan, acting as a bulwark against terrorism, and at peace with itself and with its neighbours. India wishes to have constructive relations with Pakistan to enable both the countries to effectively address our common developmental priorities,” Mr. Krishna said.
