Pakistan yet to show sincerity on 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks: MEA annual report

According to the Ministry of External Affairs’ annual report released on Monday, Pakistan has yet to demonstrate sincerity in delivering justice to the families of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks. According to the MEA’s extensive annual report for 2021-2022, India desires normal neighbourly relations with Pakistan.

“Pakistan is yet to show sincerity in delivering justice to the families of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks as it continued to engage in obfuscation and dilatory tactics. Despite our persistent urging that Pakistan respect its January 2004 commitment of not allowing its soil or territory under its control to be used for terrorism against India, there was no let-up in cross-border terrorism, infiltration, and illegal smuggling of arms into India across the LoC, and International Boundary,” the MEA report said.

On November 26, 2008, multiple terrorist attacks occurred in Mumbai. 166 people were killed, including 20 security personnel and 26 foreign nationals, and over 300 were injured. According to the Indian government, any issue between India and Pakistan should be resolved bilaterally and peacefully in an atmosphere free of terror and violence.

“Pakistan is yet to respond like an average neighbour as it continues to sponsor cross-border terrorism against India; restrict normal trade, connectivity, and people-to-people exchanges; engage in hostile and fabricated propaganda to vilify India and present an alarming picture of bilateral ties to the world. Pakistan’s leaders have shown no respite in their hate speech, and rhetorical and incendiary statements against India, including on its domestic matters, in order to divert attention from their domestic political and economic failures,” the MEA report further said.

According to it, India has categorically rejected all actions and statements by Pakistan on matters entirely internal to India. As a result of our diplomatic outreach, both in India and abroad, there is a better understanding of India’s position that Jammu and Kashmir are an integral part of India and that issues concerning it are internal to India.

“Countries have also called on Pakistan to end its support and safe haven for terrorist groups operating on its soil, including those targeting India, and to resolve issues, if any, with India bilaterally and peacefully. Cross-border Terrorism India has consistently stressed the need for Pakistan to take credible, irreversible, and verifiable action to end cross-border terrorism. India’s attempts to build normal neighbourly relations with Pakistan continued to be undermined by Pakistan’s continued support of cross-border terrorism and violence against India,” the MEA said.

India is steadfastly committed to taking all necessary steps to protect its national security in the fight against terrorism. In bilateral, regional, and multilateral fora, India consistently raises the issue of Pakistan’s continued support for cross-border terrorism and terrorist infiltration and informs our partners and the international community at large about the ongoing concerns about cross-border terrorism emanating from Pakistan. In our outreach, we also share credible information about the captured terrorists’ Pakistani origins, according to the MEA report.