Replying to a question in the Rajya Sabha, Minister of State in the Ministry of External Affairs V Muraleedharan said the government desires normal neighbourly relations with Pakistan. He, however, said any meaningful dialogue with Pakistan can only be held in "an atmosphere free from terror, hostility and violence"

India has continued to maintain that Pakistan has not done enough to fight against terrorism

There has been no improvement in the behaviour of Pakistan towards fighting terrorism in order to resume talks with India, the Ministry of External Affairs said on Thursday.

Replying to a question in the Rajya Sabha, Minister of State in the Ministry of External Affairs V Muraleedharan said 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.

V Muraleedharan went on to say that any meaningful dialogue with Pakistan can only be held in "an atmosphere free from terror, hostility and violence".

"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," Muraleedharan said.

"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."

Muraleedharan also gave details on all the major steps taken by India as Pakistan continued to use terrorism as an instrument of state policy.

"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," Muraleedharan.

Mentioning the steps taken after Pulwama terror attack that claimed lives of 40 CRPF soldiers, the MoS' response stated: "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 per cent on all goods originating in or exported from Pakistan. Our government suspended cross-LoC trade from 19 April 2019 on receiving reports that cross-LoC trade routes are being misused by Pakistan based elements for funnelling illegal weapons, narcotics and fake currency."

India has continued to maintain that Pakistan has not done enough to fight against terrorism.

The minister also said that as a result of the government's persistent efforts, there is enhanced concern in the international community over terrorism emanating from Pakistan.

"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 (JeM), Hizbul Mujahideen," Muraleedharan said in his reply.

Muraleedharan, in his reply, highlighted the support India has received from the international community regarding the fight against terrorism emanating from Pakistani soil.

"International community strongly condemned the cross-border terrorist attack in Pulwama in February 2019. Many countries have called upon Pakistan to not allow its territory to be used for terrorism in any manner," Muraleedharan said.

"Many terrorist entities and individuals who find shelter in Pakistan and are engaged in terrorism against India have been proscribed by the United Nations, the European Union and other countries."

Muraleedharan said India's call to condemn terrorism in all forms and manifestation, zero tolerance on 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.

"This 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 Organisation; G20; BRICS, among others," Muraleedharan said.