Pakistan continues to sponsor terror groups against India: Government

NEW DELHI: Pakistan continues to sponsor terror groups and hostile propaganda against India, and necessary steps would be taken to safeguard the country's interests, the government told the Rajya Sabha today.

India has reiterated to Pakistan its commitment to establish peaceful, cooperative bilateral ties and to resolve all outstanding issues through a bilateral dialogue as envisaged under the Simla Agreement and the Lahore Declaration, Minister for External Affairs Sushma Swaraj said in a written reply.

"Pakistan's sponsorship of terror groups and hostile propaganda against India has, however, continued unabated," Swaraj said.

She said the government has asked Pakistan to respect the sanctity of the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir and has asked it to abide by its commitment to prevent terror groups to operate against India from its territory or those under its control.

In this context, Swaraj said, India "has called upon Pakistan to respect the sanctity of the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir and abide by its publicly stated commitment to prevent terror groups to operate from its territory or territories under its control against India."

The minister said the government is aware of Pakistan's attempt to spread anti-India propaganda at international level and will take all necessary measures to protect sovereignty and territorial integrity of the nation to ensure the safety and security of all Indians.

In reply to another question, Swaraj said India had participated officially at the Vienna Conference on the Humanitarian Impact of Nuclear Weapons from December 8 to 9 this year and underlined the need for joint efforts and support for policy and legal measures for increased restraints on the use of nuclear weapons.

"India's participation at the Conference reinforces its unwavering commitment to universal, non-discriminatory and verifiable nuclear disarmament. The Nuclear Suppliers' Group (NSG) is an export control regime and is not related substantively to the agenda of this Conference," she said, calling for including all states possessing nuclear weapons to make the dialogue meaningful.

In another reply, Minister of State for External Affairs V K Singh said a new "States Division" has been set up in the Ministry to facilitate states in their efforts to promote exports and tourism and attract overseas investment.

"In keeping with the emphasis on coordination with states for further facilitation of their efforts to promote exports and tourism and attract more overseas investment and expertise, a separate division named 'States Division' has been set up in this Ministry," he said.

He said the division will coordinate facilitation of efforts for promotion of exports and foreign investment among Indian missions abroad, governments of states and UTs, foreign diplomatic and trade missions in India and concerned central ministries.

Singh said mutual interest in strengthening bilateral economic relations is reflected by the inclusion of cities other than Delhi in the itinerary of foreign dignitaries during their visits to India.