Kuala Lumpur: Ahead of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) summit, India on February 20 asked the 116-nation grouping not to deflect itself from threats posed by terrorism and make no attempt to justify it.

"No cause justifies terrorism - political or economic," Foreign Secretary Kanwal Sibal told reporters after the official-level meeting to prepare the agenda for the two-day summit beginning on February 24.

He said it was felt that NAM must take note of the threats posed by terrorism to world peace and "update" its view on the issue.

On Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohammad's remarks that the underlying causes of terrorism should be dealt with, Sibal said NAM should not deflect itself from the threats posed by terrorism and "no attempt should be made to justify it".

Asked as to what would be New Delhi's stand if Pakistan raised the Kashmir issue at the summit, he said India has made it clear that NAM was not a forum to take up bilateral matters.

He, however, said considering the past experience, India would not be surprised if Islamabad again raised the Kashmir issue as "a leopard does not change its spots".

Replying to questions, Sibal said India would give its response if Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf raised the Kashmir issue.

PTI