A complete cessation to infiltration and cross-border terrorism would entirely depend upon the change in the attitude of India's neighbours even while the country was working hard to improve ties with them, Defence Minister A K Antony said on Monday.
"A complete cessation to cross-border terrorism depends largely upon change in attitude by our neighbours, especially Pakistan, while India was continuously striving to improve ties with these nations," Antony told PTI in reply to a question whether he expected a complete halt to terrorist infiltration into the country in the immediate future.
"Unless Pakistan took stern steps to contain infiltration, to end terrorist camps, the menace will continue to haunt us and that is the major hindrance why complete cessation to infiltration could not be achieved as yet," he said during his maiden visit as defence minister to the prestigious Ezhimala Naval Academy to lay the foundation stone for a well-equipped hospital.
Infiltration across the border had not declined, but there had been signs of stability in recent days thanks to stern retaliatory action by security forces along the borders, he said.
The 64-bed state-of-the-art-hospital, being built at the academy premises, would be completed by 2008 and will have, among other facilities, two ICU sections, operation theatres, blood bank and would be also be a boon to the ex-servicemen in and around the area, he said.