New Delhi:
UK Prime Minister David Cameron has defended his comments about Pakistan's record on tackling terrorism.
Cameron told Sky News he will not withdraw his controversial call for more action from the Pakistan government against terrorism.
On a 2-day visit to India, the British Prime Minister said Pakistan must not be allowed to "promote the export of terror" to the world. In an
exclusive interview to NDTV's Prannoy Roy on Wednesday, Cameron said, "It's unacceptable for anything to happen in Pakistan that is responsible for promotion of terrorism elsewhere."
Later in his interview to Sky News, Mr Cameron reiterated his stand, "I think you should say what you think, and be frank and clear. "It's not acceptable that there are still terrorist groups working in Pakistan. We need to work with the government there to shut them down. There is action being taken, but we need to see more."
Pakistan reacted sharply to Cameron's statement. Noting that terrorism is a "global issue", Foreign Office spokesman Abdul Basit said the world community should instead ask India to "view this issue objectively".
(Read: Pak reacts angrily to Cameron's remarks)"Pakistan has done much more than any other country in combating terrorism. Our people and security forces have rendered innumerable sacrifices. We hope that our friends will be able to persuade India to view this issue objectively and the value of 'cooperation' in counter-terrorism," Basit said in a statement.
Pakistan's president, Asif Ali Zardari, is to visit Britain next week.