Navtej Sarna
Counsellor (Press & Information)
(202) 939-7042

Statement by External Affairs Minister Jaswant Singh on Pakistan President's address on terrorism

January 13, 2002
New Delhi

The Government of India has noted that the major portion of the address of the President of Pakistan yesterday related to reforms to modernize Pakistan. We wish the people of Pakistan well in this endeavour. To the extent that these reforms have a direct nexus to external developments, we welcome them.

We welcome the now declared commitment of the Government of Pakistan not
to support or permit any more the use of its territory for terrorism anywhere in the world, including in the Indian State of Jammu and Kashmir. This commitment must extend to the use of all territories under Pakistan's control today. We would assess the effectiveness of this commitment only by the concrete action taken. Consequently, we expect Pakistan to cooperate with India in stopping all infiltration across the International border and the Line of Control.

The Government notes the decision of the Government of Pakistan to ban the Lashkar-e-Tayyaba and the Jaish-e-Mohammad, the two terrorist organisations involved in the December 13 attack on the Indian Parliament. We look forward to an effective and full implementation of this measure, so that its members do not continue activities under other names.

There would be a similar need to address other terrorist organisations targetting India, as also the parent organisations that spawn them.

Continuing lack of action against fugitives from law about whom detailed information has been provided to Pakistan on several occasions is disappointing. It remains our expectation that the Government of Pakistan will even now act on this.

The Government of India rejects entirely and categorically the comments
of the President of Pakistan about the situation in the Indian State of Jammu and Kashmir.

The Government of India remains committed to the bilateral dialogue process with Pakistan in accordance with the letter and spirit of the Shimla Agreement and the Lahore Declaration. Should the Government of Pakistan operationalise its intention and move purposefully towards eradicating cross-border terrorism, the Government of India will respond fully, and would be prepared to resume the composite dialogue process. We reiterate our conviction that all issues between India and Pakistan can only be addressed bilaterally. There is no scope for any third party involvement.