New Delhi: Charging Pakistan with taking "no significant action" to dismantle
terrorist infrastructure, Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee on February 8 said
reports suggest that terrorists in Nepal and Bangladesh were now being used by Inter-
Service Intelligence (ISI) to pursue anti-India agenda.
"For us, the most disconcerting aspect of terrorism is that it is sponsored,
supported and funded by Pakistan as a matter of state policy," he said inaugurating
a day-long Chief Ministers' conference on internal security in New Delhi.
Vajpayee said Pakistan did not appear to be interested in establishing good
neighbourly relations with India by ending its proxy war.
"Pakistan has taken no significant action against terrorist camps and
infrastructural support to terrorism. This questions its claim to participate in the
international struggle against terrorism," Vajpayee said.
The Prime Minister said Pakistan was also violating the United Nations Resolution
1373, which enjoins all countries that they shall not support terrorism in any way
and for whatever cause.
Asserting that assurances given by the leadership in Islamabad on the issue of cross-
border terrorism remained unfulfilled, he said, "The Pakistani establishment does
not appear to be interested in establishing tension-free and good neighbourly
relations with India by ending its proxy war against our country."
Vajpayee said "available reports suggest that terrorists of Nepal and Bangladesh are
now being used by ISI to pursue its anti-India agenda.
"Therefore, we have to intensify our efforts to counter terrorism in Jammu and
Kashmir and subversive activities both in those states that border these two
countries and elsewhere," he said.
Observing that much to the discomfiture of anti-India forces, the situation in Jammu
and Kashmir "is improving", the Prime Minister said the immediate task before the
state government was to strive to fulfil the legitimate aspirations of the people
through a two-fold response.
"One, to strengthen the atmosphere of peace by dealing firmly with those intent on
disturbing it, and secondly, to vigorously implement all developmental, welfare and
employment-generating programmes," he said.
The Assembly elections in J and K in October 2002 saw a big voter turnout "despite
the atmosphere of fear and violence sought to be created by Pakistan-backed groups",
he said adding that the free and fair polls were a "victory for Indian Democracy"
with the people in the state giving a verdict for peace and rapid socio-economic
development.
PTI
