Date:18/12/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/12/18/stories/2008121888881100.htm

National

Oman for Pakistan dismantling terror infrastructure

Sandeep Dikshit

Foreign Minister of Oman on visit to India

NEW DELHI: Foreign Minister of Oman Yusuf Bin Alawai Bin Abdullah, on the first high level visit from a Gulf country after the Mumbai terror strikes, was informed by New Delhi the need for Pakistan to move beyond assurances to firm action against the perpetrators of the attack.

India enjoys a very comfortable relationship with Oman, which has a large Indian expatriate population. The two countries match views on several international issues; Oman readily offers berthing facilities for Indian warships visiting the region; and the two have a multi-million dollar joint venture. This was the reason why Indian was looking forward to this visit while discouraging offers by senior government members from at least two Gulf countries whose views, India believes, are not completely in synchronisation with New Delhi’s conviction that Pakistan must start cracking down on masterminds of terrorist attacks as a prelude to improving bilateral ties.

Mr. Bin-Abdullah, during his interaction with External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee, expressed condolences at the loss of lives in the Mumbai terror attacks and noted that there could be no excuse for not dismantling the infrastructure of terrorism across the Indian border.

Mr. Mukherjee recalled with appreciation the telephonic call made by Mr. Bin-Abdullah soon after the Mumbai attacks and apprised him of the results of the ongoing investigation, which, he said, clearly pointed to the complicity of elements in Pakistan. Referring to the demarche made to Pakistan on December 1, asking Islamabad to honour the commitments made on several occasions of not allowing Pakistani territory to be used for terrorist attacks against India, Mr. Mukherjee stressed that it was time for action, not words by Islamabad.

Both leaders reviewed bilateral relations, noting that trade had increased to $1.8 billion last year and continued to maintain buoyancy. They agreed to strengthen ties further, especially in energy, petrochemicals, IT and joint investments. Mr. Bin-Abdullah also met Minister of State for External Affairs E. Ahamed and National Security Advisor M.K. Narayanan.