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'Pakistan-sponsored terror has
nothing to do with J&K'

India's Ambassador to the United States Lalit Manshingh has asked the non-resident Indian community not to confuse Pakistan's sponsorship of terrorism with the Kashmir issue.

In an open letter to the community, Mansingh referred to an attempt, especially by a section of the media, to connect the two issues.

There is "no linkage between the two, and there can be no political justification for acts of terrorism", he said.

"Pakistan cannot be allowed to gain the impression that its cooperation with the US on Afghanistan allows it the liberty to pursue its sponsorship of terrorism against India unhindered," he said.

Warning that the terrorists active against India are the same who are targeting the US, he said only strong international pressure on Pakistan can help avert the threat of conflict.

"Our armed forces are mobilised on the border and LoC [Line of Control] to deliver a befitting response, when required, to those promoting terrorism as a principle of state policy," he said.

Mansingh noted that most of the terrorist leaders and elements detained by the Pakistan government after President Pervez Musharraf's January speech have been released.

Terrorist camps that were closed after the January 12 speech have mostly been re-opened and relocated in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, he said.

The ambassador also urged the US to "apply the Bush Doctrine on Terrorism to Pakistan".

The Bush Doctrine holds that any individual or country engaging in terrorism, harbouring terrorism or funding terrorism, should be treated as terrorist, Mansingh pointed out during an appearance on MSNBC television.

"Here is a country that is supposed to be an ally of the United States in the fight against terrorism, which is actually sending terrorists across the border to create havoc in India. So it is clear the Bush Doctrine should be applied to Pakistan," he said.

PTI

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