NEW DELHI – India on Monday said Pakistan must show seriousness towardsfighting terrorism and asserted that talks and terror cannot go together,PTI has reported.
External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said the relationsbetween the two countries are marred by cross-border terrorism.
Responding to a question during the #Askthespokesperson series on asolution to the Kashmir conflict and India’s ties with Pakistan, Kumar saidthere was a lack of compliance by Pakistan on fighting terror.
Under the #Askthespokesperson, people can ask questions to the MEAspokesperson on a wide range of issues related to foreign affairs.
Citing the example of Hafiz Saeed, Kumar said it becomes difficult to trustPakistan over its commitment to fight terror when the Jamaat-ud-Dawahchief, a UN proscribed terrorist and 26/11 mastermind, is allowed tooperate freely in the country and even open a political party there.
We do hope that the ruling establishment in Pakistan shows seriousnesstowards fighting terrorism. And, as we have said earlier as well, talks andterror, it can’t go together, he said.
India-Pakistan relations have been tumultuous and nose-dived after theattack on the Pathankot Air Force base in 2016. Subsequent attacks such asthe one on an Army camp in Uri have further hit ties.
Responding to another question on India’s policy towards Maldives in thebackdrop of the emergency declared in the island nation, Kumar said it wasimportant to ensure that all democratic institutions are allowed tofunction in a free and transparent manner in accordance with theConstitution of Maldives.
We have said earlier that the manner in which the state emergency wasapproved by the Majlis was in contravention of the Constitution of Maldives.
We have also said the consequent delay in the resumption of the politicalprocess and the continuing suspension of the functions of democraticinstitutions, including the judiciary is likely to further delayrestoration of normalcy in Maldives, Kumar said.
After emergency was extended by Maldives on February 20, India hadexpressed “deep dismay” over the Maldivian parliament accepting PresidentAbdulla Yameen’s recommendation, dubbing it a “matter of concern”.