LD RAO 3

"It is also important that there are strict
accountability criteria that apply to defence assistance
rendered to Pakistan for operations against terrorists and
insurgents on the border with Afghanistan," Rao said.

New Delhi's past experience regarding such assistance has
taught it to be vigilant to the possibility of the aid being
used "for purposes that generate tension and hostile actions
against India," the Foreign Secretary said.
"We do not have aggressive designs against Pakistan and
we want it to be a stable and prosperous country. But we will
be vigilant about our security. That is our sovereign right."
Rao said India has time and again made genuine attempts
to address outstanding issues, most importantly, the issue of
terrorism through dialogue with Pakistan. "My meeting with my
Pakistani counterpart (Salman Bashir on February 25)
represented the latest such move."
Despite the provocations India has faced constantly from
terrorists whose linkages it has traced back to Pakistani
soil, New Delhi has not abandoned the path of dialogue, she
said.
"And in our recent meeting, India's approach was to focus
on our concerns regarding terrorism, pending humanitarian
issues and some bilateral visits that have been planned or
spoken of, but have not taken place," Rao said.
"But it continues to be our conviction that for this
dialogue to really make progress, Pakistan should take
meaningful steps to address our concerns on terrorism, and
cease the encouragement of terrorism targeted against India."
(More) PTI LKJ
KAB


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