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India wants concrete action against terrorists

India on Sunday expressed disappointment at the lack of action against the 20 militants wanted by it, and said that it will respond to Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf's appeal for renewal of dialogue only after Islamabad translated its 'intention' to combat terrorism to 'reality'.

Addressing a press conference at the end of Cabinet Committee on Security meeting in New Delhi, External Affairs Minister Jaswant Singh also made it clear that there was no scope for any third party intervention on outstanding issues between the two countries, which had to be resolved bilaterally.

"Should the government of Pakistan operationalise its intention and move purposefully towards eradicating cross border terrorism, India will respond fully and would be prepared to resume the composite dialogue process," Singh said.

"We welcome the now-declared commitment of Pakistan not to support or permit any more the use of its territory for terrorism anywhere in the world, including in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir," he said.

He added, "This commitment must extend to the use of all territories under Pakistan's control today."

India, Singh said, would assess the effectiveness of Musharraf's commitment only by concrete action taken by Pakistan.

"Consequently, we expect Pakistan to cooperate with India in stopping all infiltration across the international border and Line of Control," he said.

Singh termed as 'disappointing', the lack of action by Musharraf against the fugitives wanted by India and said fool proof evidence had been provided to Pakistan against them and New Delhi hoped Islamabad would act on it.

India rejected Pakistan's stand on Jammu and Kashmir, he said. Stating that Pakistan has to stop all infiltration across the Line of Control, Singh said India remained committed to the bilateral dialogue with Pakistan in accordance with the letter and spirit of Simla agreement and Lahore declaration.

He said India expected effective and full implement of measures announced by Musharraf so that terrorist groups did not continue their activities under several names.

The commitment must extend to all territories under the control of Pakistan, he said adding India would take two steps in response to each step taken by Pakistan. ''We want to know the difference between words and action," he said.

On Islamabad's decision to ban LeT and JeM blamed by New Delhi for the December 13 attack on Parliament, Singh said, "We look forward to an effective and full implementation of this measure, so that their members do not continue under other names."

The minister said there would be a similar need to address other terrorist organisations targeting India as also the parent organisations that spawn them.

"I am disappointed," Singh said referring to Musharraf's statement that he did not wish to handover any Pakistani national figuring in the list of terrorists demanded by India.

"It is our expectation that action will follow in that direction," he said.

India, Singh said, rejected 'entirely and categorically' Musharraf's comments on the situation in Jammu and Kashmir.

New Delhi, he said, remained committed to the bilateral dialogue process with Islamabad in accordance with the letter and spirit of 1972 Simla Agreement and the 1999 Lahore Declaration.

Maintaining that the major portion of Musharraf's address last night related to reforms to modernise Pakistan, Singh said, "We wish the people of Pakistan well in this endeavour. To the extent that these reforms have a direct nexus to external developments, we welcome them."

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