Shahzad’s arrest vindicates India’s stand: Krishna

External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna. File photo

India on Thursday said the arrest of Pakistan-origin national in the failed terror attack in New York vindicated its oft repeated stand that Pakistan is the epicentre of terror activities.

“The development in relation to New York’s Times Square bombing attempt is the vindication of India’s oft repeated stand that Pakistan has been the epicentre of terror activities,” External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna said in the Rajya Sabha.

Mr. Krishna said this while replying to supplementaries during Question Hour when a BJP member asked him whether the government would bring to the attention of the U.S. the concerns in India about terrorism emanating from Pakistan in the wake of Times Square incident.

Pakistan-origin Faisal Shahzad, earlier this week, had parked an explosive-laden vehicle at Times Square but it was detected before it could go off.

Answering questions on government’s stand vis-a-vis U.S.’ plan to supply drone aircrafts to Pakistan, Mr. Krishna said constant vigil needs to be undertaken on the neighbouring country’s usage of arms.

“During all our high level deliberations with the U.S., whether it is at PM’s level, my level or the foreign secretary level, we tell them about the relentless threat we face from Pakistan whenever it receives such assistance. We have consistently shared our concerns with the US on supply of military equipments to Pakistan by it.

“We have always drawn the U.S.’ attention and cautioned it about our past experience which shows that it has always been used against us. However, the U.S. administration has assured us that regular monitoring is done by it on the usage of military equipment by Pakistan. We are also monitoring it,” he said.

Mr. Krishna said the government always sees to it that the U.S. is kept informed about its concerns over such transactions “and how there is always a lurking danger hanging on our head“.

He said, “The U.S. government has assured us that our concerns would be kept in mind while giving such assistance and that the use of such assistance would be monitored.”

At the same time, he said, “India has not opposed assistance being provided to Pakistan to help it combat terrorism. In regard to supply of drones to Pakistan, Indian government has commented that the U.S. government was free to supply military hardware to Pakistan as long as it was not directed against us”.