Dubbing Pakistan as the “epicentre of terrorism,” India on Thursday slammed it for its inaction against the Mumbai attacks perpetrators, saying it has not been able to punish any of those accused of masterminding the terror strikes.
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“Pakistan should be sensitive to few of our concerns. One of our concerns is terrorism and how Pakistan deals with terror and terrorists,” External Affairs Minister S M Krishna told the Indian media here after an interaction with the Indian community.
His comments came in reaction to a question on recent remarks made by Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Quershi, who favoured a constructive and productive dialogue with India to resolve all outstanding issues, including the Kashmir problem.
On the 26/11 attacks on Mumbai by Pakistan-based terrorists, Mr. Krishna said “they (Islamabad) have not been able to punish any of those accused of masterminding, conspiring for that attack. When I went to Islamabad (in July last year) I conveyed that to Foreign Minister Quershi with passion.
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“I think public opinion back in India will feel assuaged when those culprits, who are responsible for those attacks in Mumbai, are brought to justice.”
Pakistan has arrested seven suspects, including LeT operations chief Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi, over the Mumbai attacks, but their trial has been mired in controversies and delays.
Mr. Krishna also said that India wanted to see a stable and democratic Pakistan.
Separately, Mr. Krishna, in an interview to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, said that Pakistan is the “epicentre of terrorism”.
“In my opinion Pakistan is the epicentre of terrorism in the region,” he said. He also said that NATO-led forces in Afghanistan should think twice about engaging Pakistan as an ally in the battle against the Taliban.
On his meetings with the Australian leaders, Mr. Krishna told the Indian media that the discussions covered areas of mutual concern and interest.
“Naturally, this has included our interest in nuclear energy, uranium and the question of the problems faced by Indian students, which have fortunately improved.”