SIMLA, March 24: Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee on Sunday said that India wanted to resume normal relations with Pakistan, provided it gave up support to “cross-border militancy”.
Addressing a political rally here, the prime minister said Islamabad’s policies indicated it did not support restoring neighbourly ties with Delhi.
“We are keen to improve relations with Pakistan, but it must stop cross-border terrorism. Pakistan is under pressure from the international community to end terrorism and it must respect world opinion,” Mr Vajpayee said.
The premier alleged that Pakistan was backing the violence raging in occupied Kashmir.
“The responsibility to check cross-border terrorism lies with Pakistan. Agents of Pakistan are still engaged in attacks in India,” Mr Vajpayee said.
“The attack on the Indian parliament and on the Kashmir assembly and the firing along the borders does not indicate that Pakistan wants peace with India,” Mr Vajpayee argued.
The two countries massed tens of thousands of troops along their common border following the strike on the federal house.
New Delhi has also withdrawn its ambassador from Islamabad and has cut off air, rail and road links between the countries.
India has sent a list of 20 most wanted men to Pakistan following the attacks, but Islamabad refuses to hand over any Pakistani nationals and has asked New Delhi to provide evidence against non-Pakistanis who are wanted here for alleged acts of terrorism.—AFP
