In its 22nd Annual Report titled “India’s Neighbourhood First Policy,” the Standing Committee on External Affairs urged the Indian government to sensitise regional and international bodies on the role played by Pakistan in fostering terrorism.
In the report presented at the Monsoon Session of the Lok Sabha, the Parliamentary panel led by BJP MP P.P. Chaudhary also asked the government to work with neighbouring countries to establish a common platform for countering terrorism.
Pakistan Fostering Terrorism
“Unlike India’s relationship with other countries in the neighbourhood, bilateral relations with Pakistan and China have been plagued with contentious issues,” the report notes.
The document highlighted that one of India’s core concerns with Pakistan is terrorism emanating from territories under its control.
“In view of the belligerent attitude of Pakistan, the Committee desires that the government should continue to proactively engage with the regional and multilateral bodies/organisations extensively so as to sensitise them of the role played by Pakistan in fostering terrorism and win their support in the fight against terrorism on its soil,” the committee stated.
Shri P. P. Chaudhary, MP presented the 22nd Report of the Standing Committee on External Affairs in #Loksabha. @ppchaudharybjp @sansad_tv pic.twitter.com/UfC5EthuPi
— LOK SABHA (@LokSabhaSectt) July 25, 2023
The report added that Pakistan continues to sponsor cross-border terrorism against India and restricts normal trade, connectivity, and people-to-people exchanges.
The committee said it has been informed that “as a result of proactive outreach with the international community, India has successfully thwarted Pakistan’s attempt to present an alarmist situation of the region; interfere in its internal affairs and internationalise bilateral issues.”
Furthermore, it recommended that “efforts may also be made to establish a common platform for countering terrorism under the Neighbourhood First Policy.”
Furthermore, the report noted that despite India’s repeated insistence, Pakistan has shown no progress in the ongoing trial of the Mumbai terror attacks case in Islamabad.
Economic Ties with Pakistan
According to reports, the committee’s annual report also recommended the government consider establishing economic ties with Pakistan if they come forward and work towards broader people-to-people contacts given the cultural commonalities.
The report highlighted that India desires normal neighbourly relations with Pakistan and maintains a consistent position that any issues between the countries should be resolved bilaterally and peacefully in an atmosphere free of terror and violence. It remarked that the onus to create such an environment is on Pakistan.
Parliamentary committee on External affairs suggests that Indian govt should consider economic ties with Pakistan "if they come forward" & work towards people to people contacts; Asks Govt to also sensitize global community on "role played by Pakistan in fostering terrorism". pic.twitter.com/A3TCO2NdCC
— Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) July 26, 2023
“The committee are aware that many more Indian nationals including fishermen have been languishing in Pakistani prisons for a long time and have desired that the ministry should step up its diplomatic efforts to secure their early release and repatriation to India,” the report mentioned.
Cooperate with Neighbourhood on Terrorism
The report mentioned that India has been facing threats, continuous tension, instability, and heightened possibility of terrorist and militant attacks from its immediate neighbourhood for over three decades.
The committee suggested in its report that New Delhi should work towards closer cooperation amongst the member States in the region to create an environment where all neighbouring countries speak in one voice against the countries engaged in such activities.
It urged India to cooperate with the neighbouring nations in taking proactive steps to counter the menace of terrorism and help to achieve the goal of lasting peace, stability and prosperity in the region.