Friday, November 18 2005 16:19 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: India made it clear yesterday (Nov 17, 2005) that the entire bilateral peace process which began in January last year was based on the 'basic premise' that Pakistan will not allow territory under its control to be used for terrorism.

"That is the basic premise on which this entire confidence building exercise, the dialogue, has taken place," External Affairs Ministry spokesman Navtej Sarna told reporters here.

He was asked about Pakistani media reports that the earthquake has come as a blessing in disguise for the Lashkar-e-Toiba militants as they have increased efforts of relief and in the process were making 'jehadis' out of quake victims and whether this matter has been taken up with the Pakistan Government.

"I do not want to react on press reports," Sarna said, adding, "Naturally, if there is any concern that there is terrorism, there we have already made it clear at every stage that the entire bilateral peace process or the dialogue process, which began with the January six statement, is based on the premise that Pakistan will not allow territory under its control to be used for any terrorism."