New Delhi, Dec 17 (IANS) 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 terrorist infrastructure across the Indian border'.
Oman Foreign Minister Yusuf Bin Alawai Bin Abdullah conveyed his country's solidarity with India in the wake of the Nov 26-28 Mumbai mayhem when he met his Indian counterpart Pranab Mukherjee Tuesday night.
'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,' the external affairs ministry said in a statement here Wednesday.
Oman also noted that 'there can be no excuse for not dismantling the infrastructure of terrorism across the Indian border', the ministry said.
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 Abdullah 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 as Pakistan has often tried to mobilise the Arab world against India, with varying degrees of success, on sensitive issues like Kashmir.
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