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Britain backs India in its fight: Straw

"United Kingdom stand four square behind India in its fight against terrorism," British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw told reporters after emerging from his meeting with External Affairs Minister Jaswant Singh in New Delhi.

Asked whether there was any time-frame given to Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf to act upon the promises he had made to contain terrorism, Singh said, "There is already enough time President Musharraf has had. It is vital he recognises the urgency of the situation."

Asked whether he believed Pakistan's assertion that infiltration had stopped, Straw said: "The test is by action and not words. The international community looks to Musharraf for full implementation of the promises made by him."

To a question on his meeting with the Pakistan president, he said, "I believe Musharraf is serious about control of terrorism. The test of any statement of a country or a leader of the country should be by measurement of the action on the ground."

The British foreign secretary said, "The definition of terrorism has been laid down in the international law as per the UN Security Council Resolution 1373, which includes cross-border terrorism and branding of terrorists as freedom fighters."

He said, "I reiterate the United Kingdom government stands with all civilised governments, particularly India."

Straw said the issues between India and Pakistan had to be resolved bilaterally though it "obviously had international implications".

When asked if he had discussed with Singh the issue of prosecution of Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi for his inability to control the riots in the state, Straw said it was for the Centre and state government to look into the matter as it was an internal issue.

However, he said he had discussed the murder of two British citizens in Gujarat. Straw hoped that the perpetrators of the crime would be brought to justice.

PTI

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