India ready to engage with Pakistan in 'atmosphere free of terrorism, violence

United Nations, Oct 1: India has told the General Assembly that it is ready to engage with Pakistan on outstanding issues in "an atmosphere free of terrorism and violence." Exercising the right of reply to Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's statements about India on Wednesday, Indian diplomat Abhishek Singh said the Kashmir dispute remains unresolved and the dialogue between the two countries has stalled "because Pakistan has chosen to disregard its commitments, whether it was under the 1972 Simla Agreement, the 2004 Joint Declaration forswearing terrorism, or more recently, the understanding between our two Prime Ministers at Ufa." "On each occasion, "he added, "it was India that has extended the hand of friendship." At the heart of the problem, Singh said "is a state that regards the use of terrorism as a legitimate instrument of statecraft. The world watches with concern as its consequences have spread beyond its immediate neighbourhood. " "All of us stand prepared to help, if only the creators of this monster wake up to the dangers of what they have done to themselves," he added.