In the backdrop of the Mumbai blasts, India declared on Monday at a SAARC forum that 'no cause justified terrorism' and sought 'urgent active cooperation' from member-nations, including Pakistan, to eliminate the menace.
New Delhi asked all SAARC member-countries to pass enabling legislations to give effect to the SAARC Convention on Terrorism already passed by the regional grouping.
Noting that terror violence in Jammu and Kashmir and elsewhere in the country 'undermines' the public opinion to support forward movement of the peace process, Foreign Secretary Shyam Saran said, "It is important that Pakistan fulfills its commitment given at the highest level on ending cross-border terrorism. We look forward to it."
India also raised its objections to Pakistan's attempt to limit trade with it under South Asia Free Trade Area, saying it has a bearing on the success of the SAARC process itself.
The day-long Foreign Secretary Level meeting failed to address India's concerns regarding implementation of SAFTA and the matter will now be taken up at the two-day SAARC Foreign Ministerial conference beginining on Tuesday.
Saran, who will raise his concern over continued cross-border terrorism at his meeting with Pakistani counterpart Riaz Mohammad Khan, said India was committed to the peace process but it can 'proceed, advance in an atmosphere which is free of terror and violence'.
He said he will exchange views with Khan on all bilateral issues but evaded a question on continuation of composite dialogue saying, "Let me talk to my counterpart first."
The Foreign Secretary-level meeting also discussed implemetation of a car rally and setting up of an orgnaising committee to work out logistical details for the same. India will host the first meeting of the organising committee.
India also stressed the need for reviving and establishing new connectivity links across South Asia. India offered to provide on reciprocal basis transit facilities to other South Asian countries.
Among other issues discussed were establishment of South Asian universities and a disaster management centre, which will be set up in India.
Minister of State for External Affairs E Ahamed will represent India at the two-day SAARC Ministerial Level Meeting beginning Tuesday.
The meeting will provide an opportunity to consider various issues of regional cooperation and a follow-up of the 13th SAARC summit held in Dhaka in November last year. This would include the areas of trade, commerce, poverty alleviation, social challenges, natural disasters, people-to people contact and cultural cooperation.
Ahamed will also hold bilateral meetings with some of the SAARC foreign ministers on the sidelines of the event.
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