New Delhi: Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan in his response to a question in the Rajya Sabha on India's present foreign policy towards Pakistan, on Thursday wrote that New Delhi desires normal neighbourly relations with Islamabad and reiterated that issues, if any, should be resolved bilaterally and peacefully.
The MoS was replying to a question from BJD MP Sasmit Patra on India's present foreign policy towards Pakistan.
"India desires normal neighbourly relations with Pakistan. Our consistent position is that issues, if any, between India and Pakistan should be resolved bilaterally and peacefully, in an atmosphere free of terror, hostility and violence," Muraleedharan said.
The onus is on Pakistan to create such a conducive atmosphere, including by taking credible, verifiable and irreversible action to not allow any territory under its control to be used for cross-border terrorism against India in any manner, he added.
He further said that the Indian government has consistently raised the issue of Pakistan's continued support to cross-border terrorism and terrorist infiltration in bilateral, regional and multilateral fora.
Responding to another question on the steps being undertaken by India to counter Pakistan on terrorism through foreign policy, Muraleedharan said as that a result of the 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, Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammad, Hizbul Mujahideen, etc.
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He further stated that major partner countries have called upon Pakistan to not allow its territory to be used for terrorism in any manner.
According to the statement, the minister highlighted that retaining Pakistan on FATF grey list due to terror financing related concerns, is a vindication of India's concern.
"The Financial Action Task Force at its plenary in February 2020, decided to retain 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. These vindicate India's consistent stated that internationally designated terrorist groups and individuals continue to operate from and raise financial resources with impunity in Pakistan, and use territories under its control for carrying out cross-border terrorism in India and elsewhere in South Asia," Muraleedharan said in his response.
He noted that 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; the need for all forces believing in humanity to unite in the fight against terrorism, has found greater acceptance among the international community and that it is reflected in a number of outcome documents issued after bilateral Summit meetings with various countries, and at regional and multilateral fora such as Shanghai Cooperation Organization; G20; BRICS, among others.
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According to reports, in a written reply to another question in the Rajya Sabha on whether the government made serious efforts to acquire a permanent UNSC seat, Muraleedharan reiterated, "Govt has accorded highest priority to getting permanent membership in an expanded UN Security Council that reflects contemporary global realities."
India in collaboration with other pro-reform countries has been consistently making efforts to build support among the UN Member States for expansion of the UNSC; in both permanent and non-permanent categories, the MoS in external affairs ministry said in his written reply.
Earlier on Wednesday, Muraleedharan in response to a question reiterated India's position that there had been enhanced deployment of troops and armaments by China in border areas and along the LAC since April-May.
His response comes in the backdrop of the ongoing border dispute in the Ladakh sector between the two countries.
