New York:
The war of words between India and Pakistan at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) shows no signs of abating.
Pakistan today took to the floor of the UNGA to respond to Indian Foreign Minister S M Krishna's address to the UNGA where he slammed Pakistan's record on democracy and human rights.
Speaking to NDTV after his speech at the UNGA, the Foreign Minister made it clear that Pakistan's attempts to put India up against a wall over the domestic situation in Kashmir were unsuccessful.
NDTV: PM Singh and you have both consistently said that there is no alternative to dialogue but this week we have seen an escalation in the war of words. How does India pick up the threads of peace because they really seem to be in shatters now?
Krishna: I was only reiterating the consistent policies that have been pursued by my government over a period of time on Kashmir.
NDTV: But it seems- perhaps - to outsiders that Pakistan has put India into a corner?
Krishna: I don't think so. These are contentious issues that touch on some of the issues that we believe. These are our core issues. When they are touched naturally India will have to responds and in strongest terms. That is in national self-interest. I am here as the representative of the country and I did so in no uncertain terms this morning.
AT UN, INDIA SLAMS PAKISTAN FOR SPONSORING TERRORISM IN J&K
On Wednesday, hitting back at Pakistan a day after its Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi harped on giving the Kashmiri people the right to "self-determination through plebiscite", S M Krishna said Islamabad must stop its state-sponsored militancy and terrorism in the state.
"Jammu& Kashmir, which is an integral part of India, is the target ofPakistan-sponsored militancy and terrorism. Pakistan must fulfill itssolemn commitment of not allowing territory under its control to beused for terrorism directed against India," he said in his firmlyworded speech at the 65th UN General Assembly session in New York. (
Read: Krishna's full speech)
Krishnasaid the "credible and firm action by Pakistan against terrorist groupsoperating from its soil is in the interest of the region as it is inPakistan's own interest."
Slamming Qureshi for his remarkagainst Indian security forces, Krishna said, "Pakistan cannot impartlessons to us on democracy and human rights."
He said India was committed to good neighbourly relations with all our neighbours, including Pakistan.
Krishna,however, emphasised that "Pakistan has to live up to its commitment notto allow use of its soil by terrorists acting against India."
This,he said, would significantly help reduce the trust deficit that impedesthe development of better bilateral relations between our twocountries.