India has welcomed United States of America’s stand on terrorism emanating from Pakistan and the focus on destroying terror networks in its joint statement with Pakistan made on Thursday.
A day after the US and Pakistan issued a joint statement mentioning India-Pak relations, tension across the line of Control (loC) and terrorism, India said that this is the first time that their joint statement mentions lashkar-e-Tayyeba (leT) and the Haqqani network as terror organisations on which Pakistan has to act upon. India feels that this is due to its sustained efforts that the US has pressurised Pakistan to take action on these terror groups.
“Terrorism naturally comes to mind when talking about Pakistan. US-Pak joint statement devotes much space to it… We hope that they deliver on these commitments,” said Vikas Swarup, spokesperson for External Affairs Ministry on Friday.
Swarup underlined that both leT and Haqqani network specifically mentioned in the joint statement are two terror groups operating out of Pakistan, something even the Pakistanis do not deny. “In fact, this is precisely why it was a subject of discussion between Obama and Sharif. Obama has significantly also raised concerns about US nationals being held hostage by terrorist groups in that region. It is for the first time and leT and Haqqani network are specifically mentioned in the US-Pak joint statement”, Swarup said.
In this context Swarup referred to the India-US joint statement last year when the two sides agreed for joint and concerted efforts to disrupt entities such as leT, Jaish-e -Mohammed, D Company and the Haqqani network. Swarup said that the statement with Pakistan shows consistency in the US focus on leT and Haqqani network.
Since the joint statement also mentions resolution of all outstanding territorial and other disputes, including Kashmir through peaceful means, improvement in Pakistan-India bilateral relations, violence along the loC, supporting confidence-building measures and effective mechanisms that are acceptable to both parties, Swarup said India has always favoured resolution of issues through bilateral dialogue.
“let me make it clear that India has always desired resolution of all outstanding issues with Pakistan bilaterally through dialogue and peaceful means. It is Pakistan which has chosen terrorism as the instrument of State policy. We hope that this visit conveys a clear message to Pakistan that the international community is deeply concerned about its support and sponsorship of terrorists”, Swarup added.
India, however, has expressed reservations regarding the US move to sell eight new F-16 fighter jets to Pakistan. “We have been told that matter is still to be discussed in Congress where many leading figures, who understand Pakistan well, have already questioned its rationale... It needs certain approvals. We hope that right sections will raise their concerns about this.”
India is also opposed to US assistance to developmental projects in Pakistan- Occupied Kashmir (POK).
“India opposes any developmental projects in areas which belong to India but are under forcible and illegal occupation of Pakistan. We have made it clear to all the countries,” Swarup said.
On US reference to strengthening strategic stability in South Asia and the threat of “nuclear terrorism”, Swarup said that things eventually come down to cooperation among nuclear powers. “Pakistan’s history of clandestine and illegal activity on the nuclear side, and, implications of the assertion by the Pakistan Foreign Secretary have to be carefully considered,” the spokesperson added.