Pakistan creating war hysteria, says Pranab

“I appeal to Pakistan and Pakistani leaders, do not unnecessarily try to create tension. Do not try to deflect the issue. A problem has to be tackled face to face. Evading a problem will not help to get rid of it,” he said.

“The issue is not the defence of Pakistan, the issue is not war, the issue is the terrorist attack on Mumbai, the unprecedented scale, magnitude, ferocity as well as audacity all clearly demonstrated that it was not only pre-planned, but also well planned,” he said.

“The issue is how to prevent terrorism. The issue is how to direct the international community to face the terrorist challenge and eliminate terrorism from the face of the world,” he said.

The fight against terrorism, he said, was not directed at any country, nation or religion. “The issue is how to prevent terrorism and against the mentality which gives birth to terrorism, and against the set-up that aids terror.”

Mukherjee said that terrorism has no religion and no respect for borders.

“Terrorism is not linked to a particular religion or community. I totally reject such an idea. Islam propagates love and affection.”