NEW DELHI, Feb 13: Tempering its recent rhetoric, India on Friday blamed “official Pakistan”, as distinct from the political leadership, for the problems of unabated cross-border terrorism, and clarified that it had no quarrel with the people of Pakistan. In fact, it wished them well.

Foreign Minister Pranab Mukherjee, however, told Indian parliament, that the government remained committed to the Lok Sabha’s December resolution on the Mumbai massacre. “India shall not cease in her efforts until the terrorists and those who have trained, funded and abetted them are exposed and brought to justice”.

Giving date-wise details of the communications the two countries have had since the November 26 attacks, Mr Mukherjee said “prevarication, denial, diversionary tactics and misplaced sense of victimhood” had characterised

Pakistan’s reaction from early days after 10 terrorists raided Mumbai in a macabre killing spree.“Pakistan’s political leadership did condemn the terrorist attack and promised us full cooperation in investigating the conspiracy in Pakistan. I do not discount in any way either their intent or their sincerity, but the fact remains that the overwhelming response of official Pakistan to the Mumbai attack was not appropriate to a terrorist attack where innocents were massacred in cold blood,” the minister said in a prepared statement.

“Throughout the attempt was to divert attention from the terrorist attack and Pakistan’s responsibilities to other issues.”Through the months of December, January and February, India had continued to use all means available and heightened its diplomatic activity to achieve its goals. These were to bring the perpetrators of the terrorist attacks on Mumbai to book, and to seek credible steps by Pakistan to ensure that there would be no recurrence of such attacks.

The Mumbai attacks were a crime committed on India, the conspiracy for which was hatched, planned and organised in Pakistan, Mr Mukherjee said. In its diplomatic effort, India made it clear to Pakistan and the international community that the attack underlined the grave threat that terrorism posed to peace and stability. Therefore, it has to be seen in the context of the global challenge of terrorism.

“Terrorism emanating from Pakistan is of course a direct threat to India, but it is equally a regional and a global threat.”

From India’s investigations “the evidence was conclusive that the attack was planned, executed and launched from Pakistan territory, by Pakistanis and by elements based in Pakistan. The primary onus of responsibility lies on Pakistan to fully unveil the conspiracy, identify those guilty and act in a transparent and verifiable manner.”

Previous attacks in India had used terror infrastructure in Pakistan, but in Mumbai a threshold was crossed and it was imperative that Pakistan act credibly against that infrastructure to prevent further attacks.

After Thursday’s announcements by Pakistan of the steps to hunt the perpetrators of the Mumbai attacks, Mr Mukherjee said Islamabad had sought further information and material relating to the investigation. The Indian government would examine the issues raised in Pakistan’s response.

“After our examination, we will share whatever we can with Pakistan.”

Mr Mukherjee acknowledged that the international community had also worked with India, “using its influence on Pakistan to ensure that the terrorist infrastructure and the support provided to such elements is put to an end, since terrorism emanating out of Pakistan is a threat not only to us, but to the world. We will continue to review the situation including Pakistan’s responses and will take further steps that we deem necessary in order to protect our people”.

It was for Pakistan to choose the kind of relationship it wants with India in the future.

“Much depends on actions in the Mumbai case reaching their logical conclusion.” Mr Mukherjee’s overture to the “people of Pakistan” marked a significant departure in his stance even though he did not quite address the issue of a recent official advisory for Indians not to visit Pakistan.

“I must underline that we have no quarrel with the people of Pakistan,” he said.

“We wish them well and we do not think that they should be held responsible or face the consequences of this situation. We have, therefore, consciously, and after due deliberation, not thought it necessary or fit to curtail people-to-people contacts, trains and road links.”