'Dark forces of terror' scuttle bid for peace with Pakistan: Tharoor

India today said it has repeatedly tried to make peace with Pakistan, but the "dark forces" of terror operating there openly have consistently undermined these efforts.

Justifying the recent foreign secretary-level meeting between the neighbours, India said talks with Pakistan will have to be kept going so that concerns related to terrorism could be addressed and peace and stability maintained.

"For peaceful relations with Pakistan, we have repeatedly taken initiatives to try and peacefully resolve our outstanding problems. Sadly, the dark forces of terrorism have consistently undermined our efforts," minister of state for external affairs Shashi Tharoor said in New Delhi.

Pointing out that terrorists were still finding "shelters" in Pakistan, Tharoor said New Delhi has asked Islamabad to bring the perpetrators of the 26/11 attack on Mumbai to justice and  dismantle the terror infrastructure in that country.

"Terror activities and calls for jihad have continued to emanate openly from Pakistan," he said at a function, and warned that these very forces could adversely affect Pakistan's own safety and security.

In Chandigarh, minister of state for external affairs Preneet Kaur said talks with Pakistan were necessary to convey India's concerns on terrorism emanating from that country.

"We have to keep our talks [with Pakistan] going on as only then concerns related to terrorism and steps required for maintaining peace and stability can be taken," she told a press conference.

India wants "smooth understanding" with its neighbours as peace in the region is in our mutual interest, Preneet Kaur said.

Asked whether parleys would continue despite terror attacks from across the border, she said India has started talks on a "minimal level" while being firm on the issue of terror.

"We stand absolutely firm on our stand [sic] against terrorism from across the border.... We will continue to mount pressure on Pakistan," the minister said.

"We want them to take concrete action and at the same time I think, the talks are necessary," she said.

While acknowledging that Pakistan has taken a few steps against the perpetrators of the 26/11 attack, she said India wants it to go further.

In an apparent message to Pakistan, Tharoor said no distinction should be made between different Taliban outfits which hurt Pakistan and groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba which act against India.

"Some people are trying to make a distinction between Pakistani Taliban, Afghan Taliban, and LeT and other militant groups, but they are all several sides of the same phenomenon," he said.

On recent attacks on Indians in Afghanistan, Preneet Kaur said India was concerned at the development but at the same time
was committed to build infrastructure in the country as "such
incidents can't change our stand in helping Afghanistan".

Tharoor said that in any future process for establishing peace in Afghanistan, "only those groups should be involved which have given up violence and arms".