By Xinhua,
Islamabad : Pakistani Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi Sunday briefed Turkish Foreign Minister Ali Babacan about relations with India following the terror attacks in Mumbai.
Babacan telephoned his Pakistani counterpart to discuss bilateral relations and to share views on regional and global situation, according to a statement by the Pakistani foreign ministry.
Pakistani leaders are contacting leaders of friendly countries and their ambassadors in Islamabad to apprise them of their position over the Mumbai mayhem that killed 183 people.
The Mumbai violence has heightened tensions between India and Pakistan after Indian leaders alleged that elements in Pakistan were to blame for the nightmare.
“Pakistan was one of the first countries to strongly condemn the terrorist attacks and offered all possible assistance. Pakistan itself is a victim of terrorism and considers it a menace to humanity,” the statement said.
Babacan lauded Pakistan’s role in the fight against militant extremism and expressed support for the efforts made by Islamabad to engage New Delhi constructively, the statement said.
Pakistani troops and air force have been put on high alert in the face of “escalation” by India on Pakistan’s eastern border and the forces deployed on the western frontier could be pulled back, according to press reports Sunday.
In a briefing to the media, officials Saturday revealed that the US and the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) had been informed about the possible decision by Pakistan to withdraw troops from the Afghan border if India stepped up troop deployment on the frontier.