Indian Defence Minister AK Antony on Tuesday said the neighbouring country must initiate strong action against terrorist groups operating from its soil, in order to improve Indo-Pak ties.
“We are concerned about terrorist groups in Pakistan. They should take strong action against them which will help improve our relations,” he told reporters when asked whether change of government in Pakistan could spell a better relationship between the two countries.
Describing Pakistan as “our closest neighbour”, Antony said the Indian government wanted friendly relations with it as a “peaceful and stable” Pakistan was in India’s interest.
On Indo-China relations and border situation, the defence minister said, “The recent problem has been solved to the satisfaction of both the countries. We have a mechanism to sort out occasional irritants,” adding that there was a “highest level decision” to maintain peace and tranquillity along the border.
Both countries would also have joint exercises, he noted.
Antony said notwithstanding the long standing border dispute, there were major areas of cooperation between India and China, also India’s “largest trading partner”.
He hoped his forthcoming visit to China would further improve bilateral relations and defence cooperation between the two countries.
