War against terror can't have double standards, India tells US
Press Trust of India Posted online: Wednesday, March 26, 2003 at 1910 hours IST Updated: Wednesday, March 26, 2003 at 1911 hours IST
New Delhi, March 26: India on Wednesday strongly disapproved the "double standards" pursued by the US and some others in dealing with Pakistan's sponsorship of terrorism, saying the fight against international terrorism was "ill-served" if threats in some cases were met with military means and in others with calls for restraint and dialogue.
New Delhi's sharp rebuff came following the renewed call by the US for resumption of Indo-Pak dialogue, disregarding India's growing concerns over cross-border terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir aide and abetted by Pakistan. "The global war against terrorism can only be won when it is pursued without double standards and terrorism is eradicated wherever it exists, without being influenced by short term political and other considerations," External Affairs Ministry spokesman told reporters. He said, "The combat against international terrorism is ill-served if threats in some cases are met with military means and in others with calls for restraint and dialogue."
Though the spokesman chose not to name the US, the reference was obvious.
"The clarity of the commitment of the international community to combat terrorism requires a coherent and principled approach," he said.
The spokesman said the "epicentre" of international terrorism that existed in India's neighbourhood and the infrastructure of support and sponsorship of cross-border terrorism must be completely dismantled. "The threat of international terrorism and perpetration of international terrorism has to be met in a principled, uniform manner. It does not have different remedies in different cases," he said. India, he asserted, was determined to face this challenge with strength, determination and resolve.
The spokesman made a mention that the brutal killings of 24 Kashmiri Pandits in Jammu and Kashmir was carried out on March 23, which is the national day of Pakistan.
Asked whether this meant that the Pakistan government was directly responsible for the massacre, he said "the pattern, methodology and the nature of targets of these acts of terror are all too familiar and therefore the culpability of Pakistan is all too clear".
Asserting that no cause, religion, ideology or so-called struggle justified such inhuman acts, he said those involved in them "are criminals and mercenaries motivated by the lowliest impulses and performing their murderous deeds at the behest of others".
