Toeing Indian line: Terror as state policy unacceptable, says Merkel

German Chancellor slams Pakistan saying it uses "terror as state policy" to fulfill political objectives.

BERLIN: German Chancellor Angela Merkel has slammed Pakistan for “using terror as state policy” to fulfill its political objectives.

“We will talk to Pakistan that terrorism cannot be a means to end political issues. Terrorism is unacceptable,” said Chancellor Merkel at a joint news conference with visiting Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

“India is suffering as a consequence of terrorist attacks. We still remember the attack in Mumbai. At that time we criticised what was done by these perpetrators. We want to do whatever we can to ensure that these terror attacks are not repeated,” said Merkel in reply to a question.

Emphasising the close cooperation between India and Germany in combating global terror, Merkel said: “We are working with India to do whatever we can to see that such terror acts do not take place.”

Merkel said that she discussed with Singh the situation in the Pak-Afghan region.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 13^th, 2010.