Lok Sabha Question No. 66 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-02-24
Subject: Indo-Pak Relations
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: MALLIKARJUN  KHARGE, LAXMAN GILUWA, RAMA DEVI, LALLU SINGH, RAYAPATI SAMBASIVA RAO, VEENA DEVI, RAMACHANDRAN MULLAPPALLY, PARAYAMPARANBIL KUTTAPPAN BIJU, A. ARUNMOZHITHEVAN

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.66 TO BE ANSWERED ON 24.02.2016

## INDO-PAK RELATIONS

66. SHRI MALLIKARJUN KHARGE:

SHRI LAXMAN GILUWA:

SHRIMATI RAMA DEVI:

SHRI LALLU SINGH:

SHRI RAYAPATI SAMBASIVA RAO:

SHRIMATI VEENA DEVI:

SHRI MULLAPPALLY RAMACHANDRAN:

SHRI P.K. BIJU:

AHRI A. ARUNMOZHITHEVAN:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether India has assessed the relations with Pakistan in the wake of  recent  Pathankot  attacks  and  if  so,  the  details  and outcome thereof;
- (b) whether  India has handed  over  evidences  regarding the attackers  to  Pakistan  and  if  so,  the  response  of  Pakistan thereto;
- (c) whether  talks  particularly  secretary  level  discussions  have been held/proposed with Pakistan during the last three months and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether the matter has been raised at the international fora and if so, the response of countries thereto; and
- (e) the current status of the four step peace plan by Pakistan?

ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS [GEN. (DR) V. K. SINGH (RETD)]

(a), (c) & (e) The  Government  is  committed  to  addressing  all outstanding issues with Pakistan through bilateral peaceful dialogue,  as  envisaged  in  the  Simla  Agreement  and  the  Lahore Declaration. Following talks between National Security Advisors of India and Pakistan in Bangkok on 6 December 2015, which focussed inter alia on peace and security, terrorism and tranquillity along the Line  of  Control,  and  the  express  assurance  by  Pakistan  to  take steps  for  expediting  the  Mumbai  Terror  Attack  trial  underway  in Pakistan, both sides had agreed on 9 December  2015  to a Comprehensive  Bilateral  Dialogue  on  all  outstanding  issues.  After the Pathankot attack on 2-4 January 2016, it has been conveyed to Pakistan  that  it  must  take  firm  and  immediate  action  against  the organization and individuals in Pakistan responsible for and linked to the attack. This was done at the highest level when Prime Minister received a call from Prime Minister of Pakistan Nawaz Sharif on 5 January 2016. National Security Advisors and Foreign Secretaries of the two countries have been in touch with their counterparts.

(b) & (d) Yes. Official contacts were established with Pakistan to convey  the specific and actionable information indicating the involvement of terrorist groups and individuals sheltered in Pakistan in  the  Pathankot  attack.  National  Security  Advisor  and  Foreign Secretary  have  since  been  in  regular  touch  with  their  respective counterpart.

The Government of Pakistan stated at the highest level that the leads provided by India were being investigated. Prime Minister Nawaz  Sharif  chaired  high-level  meetings  involving  senior  Cabinet Ministers  and  top  civilian,  Army  and  intelligence  leadership  on January  7, 8 and  13. After the meeting  on  January  13,  the Government  of  Pakistan  stated  in  a  press  release  that  based  on initial  investigation  in  Pakistan  and  the  information  provided  (by India),  several  individuals  belonging  to  Jaish-e-Mohammad  were apprehended and offices of the organization were also being traced and sealed. It also mentioned that the Government of Pakistan was considering sending a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to Pathankot, in consultation with Government of India. The Government  awaits  details  from  Pakistan  and  also  awaits  visit  by Pakistan's SIT. An FIR has been filed in the matter in Gujranwala, Pakistan against unknown persons.

Several  countries  have  issued  statements  condemning  the Pathankot  attack  and  asking  that  those  responsible  should  be brought to justice.

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