global condemnation

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Uri attack: France, Russia take aim at Pakistan

NEW DELHI: The international condemnation of the Uri terror attack that killed 18 soldiers saw two of the five Permanent Members of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) openly mention either Pakistan or Pakistan-based terrorist outfits. The comments fit in with India's policy objective of isolating Pakistan internationally over its continuing support for terrorism.Theof the attack and expressions of solidarity with India present a picture of contrast with the Pakistan’s fresh and ineffective bid to canvas international support for its attempts to capitalize on the ongoing unrest in Kashmir.External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup released a collection of statements on the attack by a number of countries.Of the five Permanent Members of the UNSC, Russia and France outright named Pakistan or Pakistan-based organizations. The statements ofand UK came down strongly in India’s favour, even as they stop short of directly mentioning Pakistan. China, Pakistan’s ‘all-weather friend’, expressed shock over the attack and said China “opposes and condemns all kinds of terrorism”.The statements by Russia and France in particular present a window into the increasingly hardening position of major powers on Pakistan’s support for terrorism.Russia strongly condemnedand offered its condolences to the families of the soldiers killed in the attack. Its statement then veered into language New Delhi has consistently over the years. “In view of the attack on the Indian air base at Pathankot in January this year, we note with concern the resurgence of terrorist attacks near the Line of Control. It is alarming, and according to New Delhi, the attack on military unit near the town of Uri was committed from the territory of Pakistan,” Russia said.France too issued a statement that strongly supported the Indian position, noting that India is a victim of terrorism. “More than ever, we stand alongside India, France’s strategic partner, to fight against this scourge,” read the French statement.It then struck a body blow that is bound to go down well in New Delhi. “We call for decisive actions to be taken within the respect of international law against terrorist groups targeting India and in particular, Lashkar-e-Tayibba Jaish-e-Mohammad and Hizb-ul-Mujahideen ,” France’s statement added.Another major country to voice its support for India’s stance on cross-border terrorism was Germany. “Germany stands firmly on the side of India in the fight against terrorism. Every country has the responsibility to take decisive action against terrorism, which emanates from its own territory,” said Germany , in an almost-direct reference to Pakistan.Among the other countries whose statements against the Uri terror attack Swarup tweeted on Tuesday include Japan, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Afghanistan, Maldives, Mauritius, Nepal, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, UAE, Bahrain, Canada, Mongolia and South Korea.