India on Tuesday rubbished as “absurd” and “totally baseless” Pakistan’s allegations that it was supporting and sponsoring Taliban along the border with Afghanistan and said it was the greatest threat to world peace.

“It is absurd and totally baseless. India cannot support Taliban, which is the greatest threat to world peace,” Defence Minister A K Antony said.

Pak reasserts claim

The chairman of Pakistan’s Foreign Relations Committee, Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed said Pakistan has just ground to suspect India in the wave of terror attacks in the neighbouring country.

Sayed, who spoke to HT on the sidelines of an international anti-terror conference, however said ties between India and Pakistan had got a fresh impetus with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and home minister P Chidambaram’s assertion that the UPA government was open to dialogue with all sides. Pakistani interior minister Rahman Malik on Monday said Indian agencies had a hand in abetting the Taliban in Pakistani cities.

“There is evidence of this. We are ready to present it at whatever forum India wants. Some in India are gloating and having vicarious pleasure in the attacks in Pakistan,” Sayed, former information minister in the Pervez Musharraf-led government, told HT in an interview.

India behind Lugar Bill

Sayed said India-backed US lobbies and lawmakers had a hand in tilting the Kerry-Lugar Bill, a US legislation, in favour of India and against Pakistan.

“The Kerry-Lugar Bill lays down unacceptable stipulations such as the one that there should be no terror base in Muridke. It is evident that India lobbied hard to tilt the legislation against Pakistan,” he said.