New Delhi: India is prepared to initiate co-operation in security-related affairs with Pakistan as well as China, provided there was a "total end" to cross-border terrorism, Defence Minister George Fernandes said on August 14.

Stressing that India recently had taken steps to improve relations with Pakistan with some positive results, he said still cross-border terrorism had not come to an end altogether.

He said while the country would continue to make efforts for peace, "our armed forces are fully prepared to face any challenge from terrorists".

"Terrorists have no commitment to any religion or country and recent attacks on pilgrims at Vaishno Devi and on Army camp at Akhnoor are proof of it," the Defence Minister said in his customary radio address to the troops on the eve of the Independence Day.

He said New Delhi had been advising Islamabad again and again to stop encouraging and supporting terrorism, adding that this had not dissuaded Pakistani rulers from taking recourse to sponsor violence.

In his 13-minute address, Fernandes touched upon recent major counter-insurgency operation "Sarp Vinash", Army's role in international peacekeeping force and aid to civil authorities during natural calamities and modernisation of the armed forces.

PTI