The government on Wednesday said that any “meaningful dialogue” with Pakistan can only be held in an atmosphere free from terror, asserting that it was Islamabad’s responsibility to create a conducive ambience. Replying to a question in Lok Sabha, Minister of State for External Affairs VK Singh said continued cross-border terrorism from Pakistan was a core concern for India.

Singh said that India wanted normal relations with Pakistan and was committed to addressing all outstanding matters bilaterally and peacefully in accordance with the Simla Agreement and the Lahore Declaration. “However, any meaningful dialogue can be held only in an atmosphere free from terror, hostility and violence,” he said. “The onus is on Pakistan to create such a conducive atmosphere.”

Responding to a question on whether relations between the two neighbours have been very tense in the last three years, Singh said that India has continually called upon Pakistan to abide by its commitment to not allow any area under its control to be used for militancy. “Pakistan has also been asked to take effective actions to end terrorism and dismantle terrorist sanctuaries and infrastructure on the territory under its control,” he said. “Until such time, India will continue to take firm and decisive steps to respond to cross-border terrorism.”

Singh said that Pakistan illegally occupies about 78,000 sq km of Indian territory in Jammu and Kashmir while China holds on to about 38,000 sq km since 1962. Additionally, under the so-called China-Pakistan ‘Boundary Agreement’ signed between the two nations on March 2, 1963, Pakistan illegally gave up 5,180 sq km of Indian territory in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir to China, said Singh.

Singh said the absence of a commonly delineated Line of Actual Control in the border areas between India and China was a matter of concern. “From time to time, on account of the differences in the perception of the LAC, situations have arisen on the ground that could have been avoided if we had a common perception of the LAC,” he said. Singh, however, added that any transgression along the LAC has been dealt with China through diplomatic channels.