India slams Kasuri for statement on Mumbai blasts

New Delhi, July 12 (UNI) India today slammed Pakistan Foreign Minister Khurshid Mehmood Kasuri for reportedly linking Mumbai bomb blasts with resolution of bilateral disputes and asked Islamabad to instead act against terrorists, dismantle terrorist infrastructure and stand by the January 4, 2004, Joint Statement.

External Affairs Ministry spokesman Navtej Sarna said at a press conference here that it was ''apalling'' that Foreign Minister Kasuri should seek to link the ''blatant and inhuman'' terrorist incidents against innocent men, women and children to the so-called lack of resolution of disputes between India and Pakistan.

''His remarks appeared to suggest that Pakistan will cooperate with India against the scourge of cross-border terrorism and terrorist violence only if such so called disputes are resolved,'' Mr Sarna said.

He hoped that Pakistan would reject any such linkage and join hands with India to defeat the forces of terrorism based on an ideology of extremism and violence.

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