(a) whether the Government is ready for bilateral talks with Pakistan and if so, the details thereof;
(b) the action that Government has sought from Pakistan to show that it has addressed India’s concerns over terrorism; and
(c) the steps taken by the Government so far since the suspension of bilateral dialogue with Pakistan to dissuade Pakistan for its support to terrorism and the details of further action that are under consideration?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
[SHRI V. MURALEEDHARAN]
(a) to (c) The Government desires normal neighbourly relations with Pakistan and is committed to addressing all outstanding issues bilaterally and peacefully in accordance with the Simla Agreement and the Lahore Declaration. However, any meaningful dialogue can only be held in an atmosphere free from terror, hostility and violence. The onus is on Pakistan to create such a conducive atmosphere.
India has asked Pakistan to take credible and irreversible steps to end cross-border terrorism and dismantle terrorist infrastructure in territory under its control. Till then, India will continue to take firm and decisive steps to respond to all attempts at cross border terrorist infiltration and supporting cover fire by Pakistan forces.
Following major cross-border terror attacks in India, the Indian forces carried out counter-terror Surgical strike against terrorist launch pads along the Line of Control in September 2016; and pre-emptive counter terrorism air strike against terrorist camp in Balakot, Pakistan in February 2019. After the Pulwama cross-border terror attack in February 2019, India withdrew the Most Favoured Nation status accorded to Pakistan and imposed a Customs Duty of 200% on all goods originating in or exported from Pakistan. Government of India suspended cross-LoC trade from 19 April 2019 on receiving reports that cross-LoC trade routes are being misued by Pakistan based elements for funnelling illegal weapons, narcotics and fake currency.
Globally, as a result of Government’s persistent efforts, there is enhanced concern in the international community at terrorism emanating from Pakistan, including the continuing activities of internationally designated terrorist entities and individuals such as Jamaat-ud Dawa (JuD), Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), Jaish-e-Mohammad, Hizbul Mujahideen. International community strongly condemned the cross-border terrorist attack in Pulwama in February 2019. Major partner countries have called upon Pakistan to not allow its territory to be used for terrorism in any manner.
Many terrorist entities and individuals who find shelter in Pakistan and are also engaged in terrorism against India have been proscribed by the United Nations (UN), the European Union and other countries. On 01 May 2019, the United Nations 1267 Sanctions Committee designated Masood Azhar, the leader of Jaish-e-Mohammad, as a UN proscribed terrorist. The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) at its Plenary in June 2018, notified Pakistan in the ‘Grey List’ due to continuing terror financing related concerns, including with respect to the UN proscribed terrorist entities like LeT, JuD and Falah-i-Insaniyat Foundation.
India’s call to condemn terrorism in all its forms and manifestation; zero tolerance to terrorism; rejection of any justification for an act of terror; delinking terror from religion; need for all forces believing in humanity to unite in fight against terrorism has found greater acceptance among the international community, and is reflected in a number of outcome documents issued after bilateral Summit meetings with various countries, and at regional and multilateral fora, such as Shangai Cooperation Organization; G20; BRICS, among others.
***