June 2nd 2002
Indian Defence Minister George Fernandes said Sunday his country will not act impulsively against Pakistan, but urged the international community to put pressure on his neighbour.
"I believe the global community led by the United States can prevail upon Pakistan to live up to its responsibilities to the global community," Fernandes told a Singapore conference of 150 defence ministers and top officials.
Mounting fears of war between the nuclear rivals have prompted the U.S. and several Western countries to evacuate staff and advise their citizens to leave the countries.
"India will not be impulsive," Fernandes said on the third day of the conference sponsored by the London-based International Institute of Strategic Studies (IISS).
"Neither will waiver in our determination for the simple reason that what we have been fighting and will continue to fight is the war against terrorism," he said.
He called on the government of Pakistani military leader General Pervez Musharraf to "desist from supporting terrorism".
Pakistan, a key ally of the U.S. in its war on terrorism, was not represented at the conference since the country is outside the recognized definition of the Asia-Pacific region, the organizers said.
India and Pakistan have had nearly a million troops along their common border. New Delhi has accused Pakistan of failing to crack down on incursions by Islamic militants in Indian-ruled Kashmir.
While Fernandes said groups including al Qaeda and Taliban fighters from Afghanistan had escaped into Pakistan, Pakistan maintains it does not let members of al Qaeda or the Taliban enter.
Musharraf and Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee are to attend a regional summit this week in Kazakhstan.
