'Don't allow Balkanisation of India'

India should take up Pakistan's offer to help in curbing terrorism without any prejudice and work towards a terror-free South Asia, Fakruddin T Khorakiwala, founder, Wockhardt Group, said on Saturday.

"This is the first time in 60 years that Pakistan has come out openly and expressed willingness to work with India in curbing terrorism. India should not miss this opportunity," Khorakiwala, president of voluntary group Citizen's council for a Better Tomorrow, said.

India should take proactive steps in association with Pakistan in fighting the menace, he said.

"We should not be playing with past sentiments and keep dividing the people of India and Pakistan. We now have a new generation of people who want better Indo-Pak ties," said Khorakiwala, who is also the chairman of department chain store Akbarallys.

"We should be forming a United Federation of South Asia as culturally we all are one."

The former Mumbai Sheriff said "the leaders should rise above politics and not allow Balkanisation of India."

Paying tribute to security personnel who laid down their lives fighting terror, Khorakiwala said "We should have a unified security agency which should work without political interference."

The death of the Anti-Terrorism Squad chief Hemant Karkare was a big blow to the investigations being carried out by the state agency, he said.