NEW DELHI: In a spiralling war of words days before their foreign secretaries are due to meet, India warned Pakistan on Wednesday of dealing with cross-border terrorism with options that are not restricted in any way.

Responding to Pakistan’s criticism of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s proxy war comments in Kargil on Tuesday an Indian foreign ministry spokesman asserted that terrorism was a “core concern” in bilateral ties and all means available will be used to deal with the challenge.

The spokesman said Mr Modi was articulating India’s concerns about terrorism emanating from Pakistani soil and India will deal with it effectively as its “tool kit is not restricted in any manner”.

Also read: FO says Modi's accusations against Pakistan 'most unfortunate'

“Terrorism for us is a real and present danger. The prime minister was articulating what is for us the core concern in our relation with Pakistan. Mere denials of selective approaches towards terrorism are not going to drive away our concerns,” foreign ministry spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin was quoted by Press Trust of India as saying.

Earlier, Pakistan had rejected Mr Modi’s remarks that Islamabad was indulging in a proxy war as “baseless rhetoric” and said both countries should focus on resolving issues instead of engaging in blame game.

“India will in any case address its concerns on terrorism through all means available to us. Our tool kit is not restricted in any manner,” the spokesperson said. He said India’s concerns stem from the fact that some of the worst terrorist attacks in the country owe the genesis to areas which were either in Pakistani control or in Pakistan and referred to the parliament attack and 26/11 Mumbai strikes.

Asked whether the talks between foreign secretaries of the two countries will go ahead, he only said they are meeting following directives from prime ministers of both the countries to be in touch and look at the way forward in bilateral ties.

Published in Dawn, August 14th, 2014