Restraint should not be confused with weakness, says Foreign Secy

India said on Monday that it has made several genuine efforts to restore trust and confidence with Pakistan even as it cautioned Islamabad that its approachto deal with terrorism should not be taken for its weakness.

Addressing the Widrow Wilson Centre, a Washington-based think-tank, Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao virtually ruled out resumption of composite dialogue with Pakistan till the time Pakistan guarantees that terrorism can be controlled by its authorities. "Today, Pakistan claims that it is in no position to give us such a guarantee that terrorism can be controlled by its authorities. In such a situation, the people of India who are already bitterly affected by series of terrorist attacks can hardly be expected to support resumption of a full-blown Composite Dialogue with Pakistan," Rao said.

Rao noted that there should be strict accountability criteria that apply to defence assistance rendered to Pakistan for operations against terrorists and insurgents on the border with Afghanistan. "Our past experience regarding such assistance has taught us to be vigilant to the possibility of it being used for purposes that generate tension and hostile actions against India," the Foreign Secretary said.