"Instead of being in a denial mode, Pakistan should take effective step to bring those responsible for attacks to justice," Sharma said.
CHANDIGARH: India on Wednesday slammed Pakistan for being in a denial mode on the involvement of elements based in that country in the Mumbai attacks and said Islamabad's "defiance" of the world opinion would not be conducive for the overall stability of the region.
"We have given enough evidence (against perpetrators of last month's Mumbai terror attacks). Evidence is not only with India but also with the investigating agencies of the US and the UK," minister of state for external affairs Anand Sharma said here.
Sharma said the UN Security Council has adopted a unanimous resolution against terrorism. "It is regrettable that Pakistan has been rejecting (evidence). Pakistan is in a state of denial and defiance of the world opinion is not conducive for the overall stability of the region."
He said "it will be good if the acknowledgment is given forthwith by Pakistan. This fact (who are involved in the Mumbai strikes) is known to the entire world. Everyone knows who are the conspirators and from where they came.
"Instead of being in a denial mode, Pakistan should take effective step to bring those responsible for attacks to justice," he said.
Noting that India did not want any military action against Pakistan, Sharma said "firm diplomatic initiatives have given results."
To repeated queries on the issue of military action, he said "we are a mature democracy...we are talking of individuals and organisations based in Pakistan."
On the issue of Let commander Zakiur Rahman Lakhvi, the suspected mastermind behind the Mumbai attacks, whom India wantes handed over, Sharma said "we are very clear that those who are responsible must be brought to justice."
He said the assurances given by Pakistan to India and the international community must be honoured by it.
"Pakistan should take effective steps so that its territory is not used for terrorists attacks in India and it must dismantle the infrastructure in its territory used for such attacks," he said.
Admitting that the relations between the two countries are at "one of the lowest" levels, he said Pakistan is responsible for the escalation of tension with India.
Sharma cautioned Pakistan against any misadventure and said India is capable of protecting itself. "We hope no body tests India's strength," he said.
Ruling out the fixing of any timeframe for Pakistan to take action against the perpetrators of Mumbai attacks, he said "under the international law it is obligatory for Pakistan to take action as India is having overwhelming evidence on it.
"It is in the interest of Pakistan (to take effective action) for the stability of that country," he said.
"We never created the situation...this has been invented by the other side...Pakistan is trying to deflect from the real issue," Sharma said, while adding that "India never talked about (additional) deployment of forces along its borders with Pakistan. It is Pakistan which did it...it is unwarranted."
Noting that "earlier actions of Pakistan (against act of terrorism) were not effective," he said those who funded the terrorist attacks could not be placed under house arrest.
"It is for the world community to see whether the action by Pakistan is adequate," he said.
On being asked whether release of prisoners will continue in future too, he said "humanitarian aspect is never overruled during the difficult times."
Terrorism has to be eradicated, he stressed while adding that the terror organisations must be neutralised.
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