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No excuse for terror camps across Indian border: Alawi

MUSCAT — There can be no excuse for not dismantling the infrastructure of terrorism across the Indian border, the Indian news agencies reported yesterday quoting Yousuf bin Alawi bin Abdullah, minister responsible for foreign affairs, during his New Delhi visit.

Taking a tough stand on terrorism in the region in the wake of the Mumbai attacks, Oman has in a veiled reference to Pakistan made it clear that there could be “no excuse for not dismantling terror camps across the Indian border”.

Alawi conveyed his country’s solidarity with India in the wake of the November 26-28 Mumbai mayhem when he met his Indian counterpart Pranab Mukherjee in the Indian capital.

“In his meeting, the foreign minister of Oman expressed deep condolences at the loss of life in the Mumbai terror attacks and solidarity with the people of India,” India’s External Affairs Ministry said in a statement in New Delhi yesterday.

Mukherjee thanked his Omani counterpart for his support and solidarity and conveyed sympathies to the family of a citizen of Oman who was injured during the Mumbai attack, which killed more than 170 people, including 26 foreigners.

He also briefed Alawi about the results of the ongoing investigation into the Mumbai attacks which “clearly pointed to the complicity of elements in Pakistan”. Informing his guest about the anti-terror pledge given by Pakistan on many occasions, Mukherjee stressed that “it was time for Pakistani action not words”.

The two ministers also discussed a host of bilateral issues, including the intensification of bilateral trade which is estimated to be close to $2 billion. The two sides sought to strengthen ties in various areas, including energy, petrochemicals, IT and joint investments.

Oman’s expression of solidarity is significant for India as Pakistan has often tried to garner the Arab world’s support on several key issues with varying degrees of success.

In November, Indian Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh visited Oman to boost trade and cultural ties.

A Memorandum of Understating (MoU) was signed between India’s largest bank, State Bank of India (SBI) and State General Reserve Fund (SGRF) of Sultanate of Oman, to set up the India-Oman Joint Investment Fund during Singh’s visit.