Pakistan needs to do more against terror, stresses Krishna

NEW DELHI - Noting that Pakistan had taken “positive measures” to book the perpetrators of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, India Friday asked Islamabad to take “effective steps” against the scourge of terrorism.

“After the 26/11 attacks, Pakistan has taken positive measures on the basis of the dossiers we have provided. However, we are still to see Pakistan take effective steps to end infiltration and dismantle the terror mechanism on its territory,” External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna said in his address at the second plenary of the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, India’s annual connect with its diaspora, here.

“We support a stable Pakistan at peace with itself. We wish to address the issues between us through dialogue. But we have made it clear that this would be possible only in an atmosphere free of terror,” the minister added.

Turning to India’s other neighbours, Krishna noted that peace prevailed in Bhutan, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

“As for India and China, there is space for both of us to grow and meet our people’s aspirations. China is now India’s largest trading partner but there are also important bilateral issues that cannot be wished away,” he said, stressing on the “the maintenance of peace and tranquility”.

Speaking about the big two, Russia and the US, Krishna said “time tested ties” with Moscow had been “given a fresh impetus in areas like nuclear energy, space and defence. With the US, we are building on the positive momentum that has developed over the last few years”.

Referring to the contribution of the 25 million strong Indian diaspora that was spread across the globe, the minister said: “We have come a long way since the days when we talked of a brain drain. Today, this same pool of talent is recognised as our brain bank with which we wish to engage through a dialogue.”