RAO-LD PAK 2LST

RAO-LD PAK 2LST

Later referring to the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, Rao told
PTI it's an issue that is very much a part of what "we want to
speak to Pakistan about. On Mumbai, closure is needed."
She said Pakistan's Interior Minister Rehman Malik is
in touch with the Indian Home Ministry about the 26/11 trial.
"The trial has moved slowly. There has not been much
progress to show out of it."
However, India's vision of an enhanced South Asian
cooperation for development is challenged by violent extremism
and terrorism which originates in "our region and finds
sustenance and sanctuary there," Rao added.
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
MRD


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