EU-India ask Pakistan to root out terrorism

Marseille, France, Sep 29 (UNI) India and the European Union (EU) today asked Pakistan to commit itself to rooting out terrorism without any reservations and said they stood by Islamabad in defending the values of democracy.

French President Nicholas Sarkozy, addressing a joint press conference alongwith Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and EC President Jose Manuel Borrosso, said the EU wished to support Pakistan if that country wanted to fight the Taliban and extremists.

''We stand by Pakistan in defending the values of democracy...We need Pakistan to make sure that Afghan people get the peace and development they are entitled to,'' Mr Sarkozy said.

''If Pakistan effectively deals with terrorism, there is no question of pursuing of terror elements in the Pakistan teritory,'' Mr Sarkozy said in reply to a question on whether he supported hot pursuit of terrorists inside Pakistani territory.

UNI RB RP RK1828