New Delhi, Apr 17: Apprehending a spurt in militancy from across the border, India today said the United States led war on Iraq could give a fillip to cross border extremists. "After the US attack on Iraq, extremists elements may have further reason to pursue their destructive path to attack democracies everywhere", foreign secretary Kanwal Sibal said while addressing US Congressmen here at an interactive session organised by CII.
Sibal said Pakistan still remained the epicentre of terrorism with the entire terrorist infrastructure intact and added terrorism would continue to remain a subject of primary concern in foreseeable future.
Stressing the need for a multilateral involvement in the rebuilding Iraq, Sibal suggested the United Nations be brought in some way or the other to aid the efforts.
"Even if you are strong you cannot make peace alone", he said in an obvious reference to the US-led coalition.
"It would be in everyone's interest if the US and United Kingdom could arrive at some common ground with Russia, France and Germany on the issue", he added.
Sibal pointed out that India was holding discussions with the United Nations development commissioner on what role it could play in the rebuilding process.
Describing the US as India's dominant trade partner, Sibal said bilateral trade between the two nations was placed at US dollars 16 billion with services trade accounting for 8-10 billion dollars.
Bureau Report