BANGALORE, March 30: Indian Defence Minister George Fernandes on Saturday ruled out a reduction in Indian troops along the border with Pakistan and reiterated that Islamabad must stop “cross-border terrorism”.

“There is no possibility of de-escalation until two issues raised with Pakistan are taken care of,” Fernandes said while talking to reporters in Bangalore.

“There should be a total end to cross-border terrorism and action must be taken on the list of 20 terrorists which we have given (to Pakistan),” Fernandes said.

The defence minister also ruled out talks between the two nations.

“India and Pakistan can hold talks only when there is an atmosphere for talks and not when Lashkar-i-Taiba is on a killing spree,” Fernandes said, referring to an attack on a temple in held Kashmir on Saturday.

“In this situation there is no way one can think of de-escalation,” Fernandes said.

“There is a genuine desire at the global level to end terrorism of all sorts. Then such terrorists who have been identified have to be punished for acts of terrorism.”—AFP