Terror chilling ties: PM says Pak has not done all that needs to be done

A slow chill is beginning to set in on the India-Pakistan peace process, particularly in the backdrop of terrorists incidents like the Delhi...

A slow chill is beginning to set in on the India-Pakistan peace process, particularly in the backdrop of terrorists incidents like the Delhi blasts and the rise in infiltration. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today agreed with his Pakistan counterpart Shaukat Aziz’s observation that the ‘‘trust deficit’’ continues to exist between the two countries.

Hours before his departure for New Delhi, Singh said he saw truth in what the Pakistan PM had to say because Pakistan has not fully lived up to the assurance it gave in January 2004 that it will not let its territory be used for terror directed against India. ‘‘Unfortunately, our feeling is that all that needs to be done has not been done.’’

It’s learnt that Pakistan Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz attempted to probe the PM on possible movement towards demilitarisation of Kashmir by way of some withdrawal of troops during their meeting last evening. Singh, however, turned down any such suggestion, citing the increase in terrorist activity as well as infiltration from the Pakistani side.

Instead, Singh pointed to the disturbing trail of clues and evidence indicating involvement of an external hand in terrorist incidents like the October 29 Delhi blasts. While the PM did not divulge details in his interaction with the media, he said: ‘‘The inquiries (on Delhi blasts) are underway… but available clues do suggest involvement of external hand.’’

Singh had underlined to Aziz the need for Pakistan to act on curbing cross border terrorism, which is crucial to turning the deficit into a ‘‘surplus’’ and is an obligation Pakistan undertook in the January 2004 joint statement. The issue of demilitarisation can be discussed only when Islamabad delivers on these assurances.

So, this morning when Aziz had a breakfast interaction with editors based in Dhaka, he seemed to suggest that the peace process had not reduced the trust deficit between the two countries.

The PM’s cold acknowledgement of Aziz’s observation has confirmed that the terror cloud is once again hanging over the India-Pakistan relationship. However, the Prime Minister did say he was looking positively into the future as there were assurances that Pakistan will keep to its word. ‘‘We can choose friends but we can’t choose our neighbours… so using harsh language in public is not the best way to promote trust.’’

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Specifically on the Delhi blasts, he said there was still no firm evidence from the ongoing investigations to establish a clear external linkage.

He also clarified that his reference to failed states in his speech at the IDSA anniversary was not to any particular state in the neighbourhood.

Singh added that his endeavour was to emphasise the need to work collectively to address dangers faced by the region.