State cannot escape responsibility for promoting terrorism by saying it is non-state: S. Jaishankar

He said there is a connection between state actors and non-state actors which is why we use the words it's sponsored

Foreign Secretary S. Jaishankar on Friday said that a state cannot escape or avoid responsibility for promoting terrorism by saying it is non-state.

Addressing media here, Jaishankar without referring to Pakistan directly said, "It is not only the state actors and the non-state actors, at some stage the differentiation is not borne out on the crowd. There is a connection between state actors and non-state actors which is why we use the words it's sponsored. The state cannot escape responsibility by saying it is non-state. We have always maintained the view that acting against some group is not a justification for giving a free pass leave along active support for other groups. You can't have a segmented, differentiated fight against terrorism."

On the India's policies with regard to China, Jaishankar said it is as a complicated relationship, but added that the collaborative or the convergence side of this relationship should be noted.

"From a situation of limited contacts to one where India-China relations have today transitioned out of the abnormality, there is an expectation in India that a partner like China would be appreciative of India's interests especially when they are not in conflict with those of China. Combatting terrorism is one such area and sanctioning of well known terrorist leaders and organisations shouldn't emerge as an issue of difference nor should reservations on developmental issues such as India's predictable access to International co-operations and investments in the field of civilians nuclear energy," he said.

He said that attention also should be given to India's relationship with Myanmar and Bangladesh as bilateral ties with both of these countries are strong, substantive and rapidly expanding, and India need to extend support to these two countries in the international community.

Jaishankar said that efforts are also being made to industrial relations with Japan and South Korea in terms of investments.