Shimla: India has acted with maturity and is treading the path of diploamcy in the aftermath of the Mumbai terrorist attacks, Minister of State for External Affairs Anand Sharma said here Monday and urged Pakistan to act against terrorists in it's own interest.

"India has acted with maturity and diplomatically... It's unfortunate that our neighbour has created this hype (war hysteria) to deflect the real issue (countering terrorists)," Sharma told reporters. He said the war mongering by the Pakistani leadership was unwarranted and irresponsible. "Instead of indulging in this and creating tension in the subcontinent, it would be in the interest of Pakistan to take action against the two UN-banned organisations, Lashker-e-Taiba (LeT) and its front organisation Jamat-ud-Dawa (JuD), which have been linked to the Mumbai attacks," he said.

He said that there was not war-like situation and it was in the interest of both the countries to restrain it. He said Pakistan should act and honour its commitment to the international community in tackling terrorism emanating from it's soil. "Pakistan should act. It's the responsibility of Pakistan to check militant activities in its soil. It must honour it's commitment and assurances (to India and international community) that it will dismantle terror outfits," Sharma said. "Pakistan must be persuaded to cooperate with India in ensuring that all perpetrators of the Mumbai attacks are brought to book," he said.

Ten terrorists attacked key points in Mumbai on the night of Nov 26,leading to the death of over 170 people including 26 foreigners. India has maintained the attackers had come from Pakistan, which however has sought evidence. Asked about the proposed Iran-Pakistan-India gas pipeline, Sharma said the government was reviewing the project. "In the present scenario, I can t comment... But we are reviewing the project," he said. Sharma is a member of the Rajya Sabha from Himachal Pradesh. This was his first visit to the state after assuming the additional charge of the information and broadcasting ministry.

Source : IANS