India warns of 'dark shadow of terror' from Pakistan

Reminding Islamabad of its anti-terror pledge, Foreign Secretary Ranjan Mathai Wednesday said India was committed to carrying forward the resumed dialogue with Pakistan, but warned of "the dark shadow of terrorism" from that country.

Reminding Islamabad of its anti-terror pledge, foreign secretary Ranjan Mathai Wednesday said India was committed to carrying forward the resumed dialogue with Pakistan, but warned of "the dark shadow of terrorism" from that country.

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"At the bilateral level, we desire peaceful and cooperative relations with Pakistan. We are committed to resolving all outstanding issues with Pakistan through bilateral dialogue in an atmosphere free from terror and violence," Mathai said in a speech at the National Defence College on "Security Dimensions of India’s Foreign Policy".

"We are committed to carry forward our discussions with an open mind and a forward looking approach,” Mathai said, barely weeks after the leaders of India and Pakistan met in the Maldives and vowed to write a new chapter in the history of bilateral relations.

Mathai, however, reminded Pakistan of its anti-terror pledge barely three days before the third anniversary of Mumbai attacks perpetrated by Pakistani militants.

"Pakistan must fulfil, in letter and spirit, its stated commitment of not allowing territory under its control to be used for fomenting terrorism against India in any manner,” he said.

"Our vision of a peaceful, cooperative and progressive South Asia cannot be realised unless the dark shadow of terrorism emanating from Pakistan is eliminated,” he said.