JOIN USThe government on Thursday told Parliament that it is still worried over terrorism emanating from Pakistan, even as it went ahead to normalize bilateral relation and gave its nod to restart cricketing ties between the two nations.
“The government continues to take steps to enhance and facilitate contacts between peoples of the two countries, who lie at the heart of the bilateral relationship, including promotion of sporting ties,” Minister of State for External Affairs, E Ahamed, stated in a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday.
“However, terrorism against India emanating from Pakistan and territory under its control remains a core concern for us.”
Ahamed’s remark came just a day after the death sentence awarded to Kasab for his role in the Mumbai attacks was carried out at the Yerwada Jail in Pune. India had suspended its composite dialogue with Pakistan in the wake of the attacks in Mumbai, but resumed it last year. New Delhi recently accepted Islamabad’s proposal to resume bilateral cricketing ties, which was snapped after the 26/11 attacks.
Ahamed informed Rajya Sabha in response to another question that the government had given clearance to the Board of Control for Cricket in India for Pakistan’s tour of India for three One Day Internationals and two T20 matches in Bangalore, Ahmedabad, Delhi, Chennai and Kolkata, between December 25 and January 6 next.
“The issue of visas to Pakistani nationals coming to India to watch cricket matches at various venues will be in accordance with extant rules and regulations,” he stated in his written reply.
He said India had conveyed to Pakistan that an expeditious and successful conclusion of the investigation and trial relating to those involved in the Mumbai attacks would be a major confidence building measure and help bridge the trust deficit.