India: Terror acts could undermine peace process

Responding to the Ayodhya attack, India today made it clear that the peace process with Pakistan could lose public support if the infrastructure of terrorism across the border is not dismantled and infiltration attempts not checked.

“Time and again this government has said that there is infrastructure of terrorism across the border which has not been dismantled. There are training camps across the border which have not been dismantled and attempts at infiltration continue from across the border and this of course will impact the peace process,’’ Foreign Secretary Shyam Saran said today.

He said the success of the peace process depended on public opinion and support. “Our ability to carry the people with us will be undermined if there are incidents like the one in Ayodhya.’’

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The statement comes within days of Pakistan denying that such infrastructure existed on its territory and under its control. External Affairs Minister K. Natwar Singh had said last week that India can provide evidence refuting this.

Saran said India and Pakistan were engaged in peace process because there were good reasons in doing so and not because of the US.