Author:
Publication: The Daily Excelsior
Date: May 22, 2002
India today rejected the charge
that it was in a war-like mood or belligerent towards Pakistan in the wake
of the Kaluchak massacre but made it clear that it would do everything
to protect national interests.
"I totally reject the charge that
it is we who are war-like or belligerent... There is no substance in this
allegation. We are only engaged in defence of our national interests and
preventing cross-border terrorism," an External Affairs Ministry spokesperson
told reporters here.
Asked if India and Pakistan are
on the verge of a war given the deployment of forces by India on the border,
the spokesperson told the questioner "it is a very one-sided (view)...As
if Pakistan is a peace-loving nation. I am sorry we haven't got the picture
right there."
On whether there was any pressure
from the United States on India to exercise restraint, she said "We are
not into the business of pressure when it comes to protecting our national
interests."
Observing that nobody wanted a conflict,
she said ''in the ultimate analysis, we are for peace and against war but
we are confronting a situation generated by actions from across the border.
We are taking steps to defend ourselves and want to convey it to Pakistan
that India will not tolerate further pain inflicted on us.''
The spokesperson said India was
preparing ground for further diplomatic initiatives to explain to the world
community New Delhi's security concerns as also the situation arising from
Pakistan's continued support to terrorism, directed against this country.
"We are in the process of determining
the nature of our diplomatic initiatives," he added.
Pakistan had failed to address "reasonable
expectations" from India to stop cross-border terrorism and infiltration
in order to create a conducive atmosphere for normalisation of relations
between the two countries, she added.
Replying to a question, the spokesperson
said India did not differentiate between terrorist violence anywhere, be
it Karachi or Jammu.
"The attack in Karachi earlier this
month, in which some French nationals were killed, was a terrorist attack...It
was a heinous crime like the Kaluchak incident. We don't differentiate
between terrorist acts like Pakistan does," she added.(UNI)
