New Delhi: Seeing a "method in the madness" of Pakistan-inspired terrorist violence in India, President A P J Abdul Kalam on February 17 accused Islamabad of flouting every civilised diplomatic norm by using its mission in India to arrange financing of terrorist groups.

"The killings of innocent men, women and children; the choice of members of the families of security personnel as special targets; the attack on pilgrims – all this showed that there was a method in the madness of Pakistan-supported terrorist violence," he said.

In his first address to the joint sitting of Parliament, Kalam said India's position "remains unchanged that we are willing to resume bilateral dialogue with Pakistan, as soon as cross-border terrorism ends".

He said, "Recent revelations have shown how every civilised diplomatic norm is being flouted by the use of its diplomatic mission in Delhi to arrange financing for terrorist groups in the country."

The President however, said India would be willing to retain the level of diplomatic representations with Pakistan by accepting replacements of the expelled officials.

India had earlier this month expelled Pakistan's Charge d' Affaires (CDA) Jalil Abbas Jilani and four other officials, accusing them of funding separatist groups in Jammu and Kashmir. Pakistan retaliated by expelling India's CDA and four others.

Observing that India has always striven for peaceful, friendly and co-operative relations with all its neighbours, he said, "Unfortunately, Pakistan has consistently responded to all our efforts with hatred and violence, sponsoring and actively supporting a sustained campaign of cross-border terrorism."

Pakistan's assurances given on the issue of cross-border terrorism had "remained unfulfilled. The infrastructure of terrorist groups remains intact in Pakistan, the funding of terrorist groups continues", the President said.

PTI