NEW DELHI, Dec 16: The terror outrage in Mumbai was a global issue and not a matter between India and Pakistan, nor should it be seen through the prism of the Kashmir issue, Indian Foreign Minister Pranab Mukherjee said in Srinagar on Tuesday.

“It is not a Kashmir issue. It is not merely an issue between Pakistan and India. It is about global war against terrorism,” Mr Mukherjee said, referring to the 60-hour bloody siege of Mumbai landmarks last month.

“We should not look at the issue through the prism of Indo-Pak relations or the prism of Kashmir,” PTI quoted him as saying.

India’s Defence Minister A.K. Antony, meanwhile, ruled out any military action against Pakistan, but said relations between the two countries could not be normal unless Islamabad took action against terrorists in its patch. Mr Antony was speaking to reporters at Delhi’s India Gate war memorial on ‘Vijay Diwas’, which marks the 37th anniversary of India’s military victory over Pakistan in 1971.

“We do not plan to take any military action. At the same time, things will not be normal unless Pakistan takes action against terrorists operating from their soil against India and also against those who are behind the Mumbai attack,” United News of India quoted him as saying.

Demanding action by Pakistan against groups linked with the Mumbai carnage, he said: “I cannot say what course of action we will take but unless Pakistan shows sincerity in whatever they are saying through their actions, there is no question of relations as usual.’’

He, however, denied that India was planning to call off the more than five years old ceasefire along the Line of Control (LoC).

“There is nothing like that,’’ he said in reply to a question in this regard. Mr Mukherjee said Pakistan must follow its words with action.

“We expect that good sense will prevail and we expect that the assurances that are coming (from Pakistan) will translate into action. Because assurances are coming from established leadership of that country, we expect conducive atmosphere will prevail to act on the promises made,” Mr Mukherjee said, responding to questions.

Asked if the Mumbai terror would affect Indo-Pak relations vis-à-vis the Kashmir issue, Mr Mukherjee categorically stated that the attacks had nothing to do with the bilateral relationship on matters relating to the border state.

He said there was a pause in the India-Pakistan Composite Dialogue Process (CDP) because of the terror attack on Mumbai. “Yes, after the Mumbai terror attack there is a pause in the CDP between India and Pakistan,’’ he told a news conference in Srinagar.

Asked if any Pakistan government agency was involved in the attack, Mr Mukherjee said he deliberately used the words “some elements’’ and did not name any Pakistani agency in his address.

“We want Pakistan must dismantle terrorist training camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK),’’ he said. “We do not believe in words of Pakistan leadership until the words are implemented in action,’’ he added.