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More diplomatic sanctions could follow: India warns Pakistan

India on Thursday said it would be a step in the right direction if Islamabad denounced cross-border terrorism, even as sources said that further diplomatic sanctions could follow if Pakistan failed to stamp out the menace.

"If Pakistan is prepared to openly denounce cross-border terrorism and say it will not promote it from now on, it will be a step in the correct direction,'' external affairs ministry spokesperson Nirupama Rao told reporters ahead of President Pervez Musharraf's address to the nation.

The fresh offensive could include further reduction of staff in the two missions, asking Islamabad to withdraw its high commissioner in New Delhi, scrapping of most favoured nation status to Pakistan and even snapping of diplomatic ties.

Clearly indicating that New Delhi would not rush into a dialogue with Islamabad, official sources said, "We are not going to be impressed by cosmetic steps or half measures. Pakistan has to make a clear statement with a commitment to abandon support to terrorism and take subsequent concrete action on the ground."

If it does not satisfy us, the situation could get serious," they warned.

New Delhi was also of the firm view that it would not accept Musharraf's statement on not allowing Pakistan's territory to be used by terrorists while making no mention of terrorist activities, including training camps, in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

The sources said India would expect the United States, Britain and other members of the global coalition against terrorism to take with a "pinch of salt" any cosmetic measures announced by Musharraf.

"Any such statement must meet India's minimum requirements," the sources said. Islamabad should sufficiently state that it would not pursue terrorism as an instrument of state policy and resort to political steps to resolve all outstanding issues, including Jammu and Kashmir, they said.

New Delhi, the sources said, believed that Pakistan's military establishment was sufficiently powerful to control the jihadi groups and stamp out their operations.

Giving examples of non-measures taken by Pakistan, the sources said Islamabad was treating detained terrorists like state guests.

They said there was acute sense of cynicism within India after the December 13 attack on Parliament.

The sources, however, said that if Musharraf initiated credible action against terrorists, India would certainly consider de-escalation along the borders and a dialogue with Pakistan.

Replying to questions, the sources said the credibility of the US and other members of the global coalition against terrorism could suffer if Pakistan failed to take concrete steps. They said reports from Pakistan indicated that the ruling establishment had registered the seriousness of the Indian stand against terrorism.

PTI

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