RAO 2LST

"Our relationship with Pakistan has been complicated
by the issue of terrorism and the need for Pakistan to take
ameliorative action to eradicate terrorism against India.
Despite this threat, we understand well the Kautilyan
advice that a great power loses stature if it remains bogged
down in neighbourhood entanglements," the Foreign Secretary
said.
Terrorists have repeatedly sought to undermine India's
security and economic progress "aided and abetted by forces
beyond our border," she said, adding that terror groups
implacably opposed to India continue to recruit, train and
plot attacks from "safe havens across our borders."
Pointing out that the threat from terrorism cannot be
dealt with through national efforts alone, Rao said it is time
the international community "works towards early adoption of a
Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism that was
tabled at the UN over a decade ago."
On Afghanistan, Rao said India is "supportive" of the
US efforts to fight terrorism and bring stability in the
war-ravaged country.
"We have a direct interest in Afghanistan, not
because we see it as a theatre of rivalry with Pakistan but
because of the growing fusion of terrorist groups that
operate from Afghanistan and Pakistan and their activities in
India," she added.
India's 1.3 billion dollars assistance to Afghanistan
has helped build vital civil infrastructure and develop human
resources and capacity in areas of education, health,
agriculture and rural development.
Rao said India will stand by this commitment despite
the grave threat under which its personnel and people work in
Afghanistan. PTI YAS RET
MRD


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