India further mounted pressure on Pakistan to clamp down on terrorists operating from its soil, saying words must be “followed up” with deeds, but ruled out any military action.
“We expect that good sense prevails and assurances, which are coming (from Pakistan), translate into action. Because assurances are coming from the established leadership of that country, we expect conducive atmosphere to prevail and will ensure the fulfilment of these assurances,” External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee told reporters in Srinagar. Recalling what he had said in Parliament, he said: “Words (by Pakistan) must be followed up with action”.
In the capital, Defence Minister A K Antony said India was not planning any military action but made it clear that “things will not be normal” unless Pakistan takes action against terrorists operating against India from its soil. “We are not planning any military action but at the same time unless Pakistan takes actions against terrorists operating against India from their soil and also against all those who are behind the Mumbai terrorist attack, things will not be normal,” he told reporters. He was speaking on the sidelines of a function to mark the 37th anniversary of the India’s military victory in the Bangladesh liberation war.
Mukherjee said, India has forwarded evidences to Pakistan on ten occasions. “It is not enough.... What is required is to follow up on the evidence to its logical conclusion,” Mukherjee said.