India a responsible nation, says Gilani

Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has described India as a 'responsible state' and said global diplomacy has helped reduce tensions between the two nuclear armed neighbours.

Gilani, however, said it would take time to normalise relations that had worsened in wake of the Mumbai terror attacks, the News International daily said on Friday.

He said New Delhi is yet to share any evidence with Islamabad as regards the Mumbai attacks, for which India has blamed Pakistan-based elements.

While none of the country's citizens would be handed over to India, Pakistan will also not allow its soil to be used for terrorist activities, the paper quoted him as saying.

On the possibility of India conducting surgical air strikes inside Pakistani territories, Gilani hoped such a situation would not arise as India is a responsible state.

In the face of India's strong demand that Pakistan crack down on the perpetrators of the terror attacks, Islamabad has asked New Delhi to share information and evidence it has.

Pakistan banned the Jamaat-ud-Dawah, the front organisation of the Lashkar-e-Tayiba, and launched a crackdown on elements associated with it, after the UN Security Council imposed sanctions on the outfit.

However, India has voiced scepticism over Pakistan acting decisively against terrorists operating from its soil, with External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee saying that such elements have been 'let off' in the past after some initial action.