Ibsa declaration mum on Pakistan

PRETORIA: The Ibsa declaration, which discussed conflict areas around the world and its response, refrained from the main source of concern for India - Pakistan's reluctance to act against terror outfits operating out of its soil.

Government officials accompanying the Prime Minister acknowledged that Pakistan's role in fomenting terror did not come up in the discussions at the summit. The declaration talks in detail about the crisis in Libya, the progress in Arab-Israel peace process, the current situation in Syria and troubles experienced by Afghanistan, developments in Sudan and worsening situations in Somalia and Haiti. In India's neighbourhood, the declaration asked Lanka to implement a fully-inclusive political settlement.

The absence of any mention to Pakistan has been puzzling to many as political leadership has been claiming that it would use all available forums to pile up pressure on Islamabad to put an end to terror targeted against India. Despite repeated dossiers on terrorists operating in Pak, the Rawalpindi establishment has not done anything substantial to address New Delhi's concerns. Pak has been under pressure from the US to act on its promise to contain terror. Both President Barack Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton have sent out warnings to Pak in recent weeks.