New Delhi: Asking the world community to not only isolate but ostracise nations sponsoring terrorism, Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani on October 15 said the "touchstone" of Pakistan's sincerity to improve its relations with India would be its attitude towards the list of 20 fugitives given to it by New Delhi.

"We have already said that cross-border terrorism should end for creation of a conducive atmosphere between the two neighbours. But the touchstone of its (Pakistan's) sincerity is their attitude towards the list of 20 fugitives India has given to them," he said without naming Pakistan.

Advani was delivering the inaugural speech at the Interpol's Third Conference on Fugitives in New Delhi.

"If that happens, I see an absolutely new chapter beginning in this region," Advani said while pointing out that the peace initiatives of Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee has not received "adequate response" so far.

"We have to isolate nations which practice terrorism as an instrument of state policy. Beyond isolation, I would say we have to ostracise such nations", he said.

He said there were countries "professing to be members of the global coalition against terrorism. Yet, they take no steps to curb the export of terror from their soil".

Pakistani delegation was conspicuous by their absence at the inaugural session, which was attended by about 50 police and Interpol officers from various countries, including Interpol Secretary General Ronald K Noble.

Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Director P C Sharma, who was recently elected Interpol Vice President, Cabinet Secretary Kamal Pande and top officials of CBI and other police and security agencies were also present.

PTI