John Kerry's certification says Pakistan has acted against terror groups

NEW DELHI: India has expressed disappointment over Pakistan’s attempts to instigate attacks through the sea route and along the border in J&K instead of waking up to the cost of perpetuating terrorism even after the Peshawar school massacre and thereby “constricting conduct of bilateral dialogue”.

External affairs ministry’s spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin on Monday said India does not believe that Pakistan is ceasing support or dismantling bases of operations of terrorist organisations.

Officials said it appears certain sections of Pak establishment do not favour normalisation of relations with India. Experts said India will appraise US President Barack Obama of the situation if Obama nudges Modi for reviving talks with Pak. India will ask Obama to prevail upon Pak to rein in terror outfits, they said, adding the US-Pakistan strategic dialogue in Islamabad will be closely followed in New Delhi.

Taking an indirect dig on US certification on aid to Pakistan, Akbaruddin said, “How the government of the US decides to spend US taxpayers’ money is entirely its prerogative.” Officials said US taxpayers are being taken for a ride by Pak establishment. US Secretary of State John Kerry has signed off on a certification that the Pakistan has “prevented Al-Qaeda, the Taliban and associated terror groups such as LeT and JeM from operating in the territory of Pakistan”. The certificate is a condition for Washington to disburse funds under the Kerry-Lugar Bill for civilian aid to Pakistan that was co-authored by Kerry in 2009. This year’s grant of $532 million to Pakistan will be disbursed in near future.