New York, Sep 29 (IANS) Indian External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna Wednesday said Pakistan had no right to lecture India on democracy and human rights, and urged it to bridge the trust deficit by taking action against terrorists operating from its soil.
‘Pakistan cannot impart lessons to us on democracy and human rights,’ Krishna said in his speech to the United Nations General Assembly here Wednesday.
He noted that Pakistan must fulfill its commitment to not allow its territory to be used against India.
‘If, however, Pakistan were to live up to its commitment not to allow use of its soil by terrorists acting against India, this would significantly help reduce the trust deficit that impedes the development of better bilateral relations between our two countries. We are neighbours, and as neighbours, we have an obligation to work together,’ Krishna said.
He said that India had shared the international community’s ‘deep rooted concerns about the growth and consolidation of militancy and terrorism in Pakistan’, especially as Kashmir is the ‘target of such Pakistan-sponsored militancy and terrorism’.
The minister expressed his sadness at the loss of life and property in the unprecedented floods in Pakistan, for which India had donated $25 million. ‘As a neighbour, we wished to provide succour and relief in a timely manner to the victims of this natural disaster,’ he said.
