Pak diverting attention by creating war hysteria: Pranab

Home Minister Pranab Mukharjee on Friday accused Pakistan of diverting attention from the real issue of taking action against the perpetrators of terror on its soil by creating war hysteria.

He said that he had spoken to the foreign ministers of Iran and China and also requested Saudi Arabia to exert pressure on Pakistan to book those behind terror attacks on India.

Asserting that all democratic forces should unite to fight terrorism, Foreign Affairs Minister on Friday urged the world community to unite to take firm and expeditious action against the menace.

Mukherjee’s statement came after a meeting with the Saudi Foreign Minister Al-Faisal who is on a brief visit to New Delhi in the wake of November 26 attacks.

During the talks, India shared evidence about involvement of Pakistan-based elements in the most atrocious attack on Indian soil. The Saudi Minister was apprised about how 10 heavily-armed terrorists were trained in Pakistan and sent from Karachi to launch well-coordinated attacks in Mumbai in which over 180 people, including 26 foreigners, were killed.

The Indian foreign minister also retreated that Pakistani authorities should weigh up the evidence and take immediate actions against the perpetrators of the Mumbai attacks. He urged them to bring transparency in the investigations being carried by the Gilani led government.

Questioning Pakistan's alleged co-operation in the war on terror, Pranab pointed out that it has once again failed to assist India in handing over terror suspects.

The Saudi minister on his part said, “Terrorism is a cancer, we need to cut it out.” He also called for the United Nations to set up an international body to deal with Mumbai-like terror attacks.

During the Saudi foreign minister's visit here, New Delhi will also seek Riyadh's support in clamping down on the financing of terrorists, some of whom use Saudi charities and other fronts for generating funds for subversive activities, official sources said here.

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Saudi Arabia has immense influence on Pakistan and India is seeking to utilise it to ensure that Islamabad ends cross-border terrorism.

After the Mumbai attacks, New Delhi has been in touch with Riyadh and the Royal government has indicated support to India's case, apparently convinced about its assertion.

India is urging the international community, particularly those having leverage with Pakistan, to build pressure on Islamabad.

Most of the countries, particularly the US, UK, France and Russia besides the 27-nation European Union, are convinced that the terror strikes in Mumbai were carried out by elements based in Pakistan.

Earlier, Mukherjee had warned Pakistan of not to test India's patience and deliver on promises it has made.