New Delhi: Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani on September 11 said that the world should realise that Pakistan's Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) was promoting terrorist organisations like al-Qaida and Taleban and should stop helping any such country which aids and abets terrorism.

"al-Qaida and Taleban are recognised as terrorist organisations. It is important for India that the world also recognises ISI as an organisation which promotes terrorism. If this does not happen, the problem will remain," he told a meeting to observe "Anti-Terrorism Day", organised by Delhi Study Group.

Stating that India did not expect any help from the world to fight terrorism it had been facing for over two decades, Advani said that the world at least should not support those nations and organisations which support terrorism directly or indirectly.

Recalling his recent talks with the US leaders when he visited that country in June this year during which they had stated that India was "exaggerating Washington's clout" vis-a-vis Pakistan, Advani said he told the US, "No, I am making a very realistic assessment. I am not exaggerating your influence. I know what is possible."

He said that Pakistan handed over 500 al-Qaida militants to US. "I am happy among the 500 there is no Indian. But when India asked for 20 wanted terrorists to be handed over, Islamabad did not do so".

Advani said the September 11 terror attack in US and the subsequent events had brought about a change in the mindset about global terrorism but India had been a victim of the menace for over two decades.

He said Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee had visited the US in 2000 and had cautioned leaders there that terrorism was a scourge and evil and "even distance cannot provide immunity" to terrorist attacks." This was vindicated by the terror attacks on the World Trade Centre the next year.

"Had this been taken with seriousness and followed up with purposeful actions that it deserved, instances like September 11 could have been avoided," he said.

The Deputy Prime Minister said the September 11 attack also highlighted four basic points - the destructive potential, no nation or place was immune to its threats, terrorism was no longer a localised phenomena but had matured into a well-organised, well-directed and virtually unstoppable weapon of war and a potent threat to Democracy.

PTI