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| Pak must match words with actions: Pranab | | | EARLY TIMES REPORT
Srinagar, Dec 16: Underlining UPA government’s resolve to fight terrorism to finish, the External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee said that Pakistan must match it words with action for stability in the region.
The senior Congress leader and Minister for External Affairs Pranab Mukherjee was addressing a press conference here today as he arrived in Srinagar in connection with party’s election campaign.
With pressure mounting on Pakistan to act against the sources of terror responsible for the Mumbai attacks, India on Tuesday said Islamabad should follow up its promise to the global community with action.
"I have already said this in Parliament. Words (by Pakistan) must be followed up with action," External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee said.
"We expect that good sense will prevail and we expect that the assurances that are coming (from Pakistan) will translate into action. Because assurances are coming from established leadership of that country, we expect conducive atmosphere will prevail to act on the promises made," Mukherjee said, responding to questions.
Asked if the Mumbai terror would affect Indo-Pak relations vis-a-vis the Kashmir issue, the External Affairs Minister categorically stated that the attacks had nothing to do with the bilateral relationship on matters relating to the border state.
"It is not a Kashmir issue. It is not merely an issue between Pakistan and India. It is about global war against terrorism," Mukherjee said, referring to the 60-hour-long siege of Mumbai landmarks beginning November 26 that claimed 183 lives.
"We should not look at the issue through the prism of Indo-Pak relations or the prism of Kashmir," he said.
His statement came barely hours after defence minister AK Antony’s remark that India is not planning any military action against Pakistan.
"We are not planning any military action... but at the same time unless Pakistan takes actions against those terrorists who are operating from their soil against India and also against all those who are behind the Mumbai terrorist attack, things will not be normal," defence minister A K Antony had said.
On the issue of troop deployment along the Indo-Pak border, Antony said the situation there was "normal" and armed forces were "always ready".
"Everything is normal because our forces are always ready," the Minister said.
The Minister denied that India was planning to call off the more than five-year-old ceasefire along the Line of Control (LoC).
"Nothing like that," he stated when asked if India had any plans to call off the ceasefire with Pakistan.
Refusing to divulge India's course of action in the present scenario, Antony demanded sincere action by Pakistan against the terrorists.
"I cannot say what course of action we will take but unless Pakistan shows sincerity in whatever they are saying through their actions, one thing is very sure that there is no question of things as usual," he said.
Mukherjee said on ten occasions India has given evidence after various events. "It is not enough... what is required to is to follow up on the evidence to its logical conclusion".
Asked if the Mumbai terror attack would affect Indo-Pak relations vis a vis the Kashmir issue, he said the attacks had nothing to do with the bilateral relationship on matters relating to the border state.
"It is not a Kashmir issue. It is not merely an issue between Pakistan and India. It is about global war against terrorism," he said adding, "we should not not look at the issue through the prism of Indo-Pak relations or the prism of Kashmir."
Earlier he said that the the high voter turnout in the first five phases of the seven-stage Jammu and Kashmir assembly election was a significant development reflecting people's faith in democracy.
"One electoral exercise that draws maximum attention not only in the country but also in large parts of the world is the Jammu and Kashmir election.
"To my mind, it is an important development that voters have come out in large numbers to exercise their franchise" in the first five rounds, Mukherjee told reporters here.
The turnout was significantly higher compared to previous elections, the Congress veteran said adding this reflected people's faith in democracy.
Congratulating the people of the state for participating in large numbers in the democratic exercise, he said he was hopeful of similar turnouts in the last two phases slated for December 17 and 24.
To a question, Mukherjee said he could not predict which party would come to power in the state.
He lauded the achievements of the previous Congress-PDP government in the state saying it did a commendable job during its six-year tenure.
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