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India warns Pak against reneging on its commitments
Accusing Pakistan of resorting to "verbal
calisthenics", India on Monday warned that if President
Pervez Musharraf reneges on his pledge to permanently
end cross-border terrorism, it would have to take a
"closer look" at what needs to be done.
Responding to questions on remarks
made by Musharraf to BBC and Newsweek, External Affairs
Ministry spokesperson said "Pakistan has committed
itself to fighting terrorism. This is an unambiguous
and clear commitment lending itself to no other interpretations".
Backtracking on his promises, Musharraf claimed in
an interview in the latest issue of Newsweek that he
had not given any such assurances to the US.
"It has been conveyed to us (by Washington) in
categorical terms that commitment about permanently
ending infiltration of terrorists across the Line of
Control (LoC) have repeatedly been given by General
Musharraf.
"Despite some occasional verbal calisthenics by
Pakistan, this is the commitment that remains undiluted,"
Rao said.
Asked whether India would reconsider its stand if Musharraf
went back on his assurances, she said "if Pakistan
is unable to fulfil its pledges and is reneging on its
commitments, we will have to take a closer look on what
needs to be done and where we go from here".
New Delhi, June 24, 2002 (PTI)
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