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International monitoring only on Pak side: Advani

Union Home Minister Lal Kishenchand Advani has mooted the idea of foreign countries monitoring the 'infrastructure of terror' inside Pakistan and said the international community could also monitor the border only on their side.

"I have no objections to foreign countries monitoring (the border) on the Pakistani side... I (also) have no objection to foreign agencies and countries examining the infrastructure of terror in Pakistan or Pak-occupied Kashmir," Advani told British daily Independent in an interview.

Categorically stating that any monitoring would only be 'permitted on the Pakistani side', he said, "There is no infiltration from our side. So that's the side that has to be watched."

Reiterating India's long-standing objection to the United Nations Military Observer Group monitoring the Line of Control for over five decades now, Advani said, "The force can't do it, it's not practical. It is a small agency. That is the practical objection."

He said the 'fundamental objection' to UN monitoring was that there was 'a strong suspicion that foreign powers would like to use their influence to get control of the whole situation. On that there is a national consensus'.

"Therefore, what has to be done, has to be done bilaterally between India and Pakistan," the home minister said.

Describing India's list of 20 terrorists and criminals given to Pakistan as 'a litmus test' for Islamabad's sincerity, he said, "The list is something irreversible. If Pakistan agrees (to hand over the people mentioned in the list to India), it would be visible immediately not only to our government but to the people of India."

Advani said there was 'a major development' in the past fortnight 'that has brought about a change in the whole situation and there is some easing of tensions' and this was in respect of the 'realisation' by the world community that Indian apprehensions about cross-border terrorism were 'genuine and that Pakistan is not doing what it promised'.

"Therefore there is pressure on Pakistan to carry out its promises. This is something that has brought about a change in the whole situation and there is some easing of tensions," Advani said.

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