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| India-Pakistan |
| Mukherjee reiterates 'all options open' |
| 2008-12-23 |
| Global efforts to dismantle the 'terrorist infrastructure' in Pakistan are insufficient and India is therefore prepared to act alone, Indian External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee has said. He was talking to Indian envoys during a two-day conference that began on Monday. India has summoned all its high commissioners and heads of foreign missions for the conference. "We need effective steps not only to bring those responsible for the Mumbai attacks to justice, but also to ensure that such acts of terrorism do not recur," Mukherjee said. "While we continue to persuade the international community and Pakistan, we are also clear that ultimately it is we who have to deal with this problem. We will take all measures necessary as we deem fit to deal with the situation." He said the 'terrorist infrastructure' in Pakistan was a threat to the civilised world, and accused Islamabad of "using terrorism as an instrument of state policy" and "displaying its past tendency to resort to a policy of denial". Later, Mukherjee told reporters India had not ruled out any options to make Islamabad "fulfil its commitment to end terrorism". Asked if he meant India would take military action, he said: "Asking questions about military action does not serve my interest or your interest... If you ask about a military conflict, nobody will say about it in the media. There is a particular situation. We have kept our options open." Meanwhile, the Indian Ministry for External Affairs also registered a protest with the United Nations for a statement by its Sanctions Committee chief Richard Barrett, who said Pakistan is doing enough to rein in terrorist groups. |
| Posted by:Fred |