Jammu, Dec 22: Congress President Sonia Gandhi has warned neighbouring countries against encouraging terrorism.

She was addressing an election rally in Dableer village near Jammu ahead of the final seventh phase of the assembly elections.

Sonia said India''s desire for peace should not be taken as a sign of weakness.

"We have always tried to maintain brotherly relationship with our neighbouring countries. The sad part is that our emotions have never been respected. I want to make one thing very clear that our wish or having peace and harmony should not be misunderstood as our weakness. People who are continuously encouraging terrorism from their soil, we want to tell them that we are competent of giving a befitting reply to them," she said.

Sonia Gandhi''s comment comes in the backdrop of the ongoing investigations against Pakistan-based outlawed Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) militant group blamed for the recent rampage of Mumbai.

India, the United States and Britain have blamed LeT and other affiliated groups for the Mumbai attacks, saying Pakistan must do more to stamp out militants.

UPA Chairperson congratulated people of Jammu and Kashmir for participating in large numbers in the ongoing assembly elections.

"I would like to congratulate all the people of Jammu and Kashmir and would like to appreciate for proving that you have deep faith in democracy. Despite the boycott call by some people, up till now, the voters came out in large number, thereby increasing respect and dignity of the state," she added.

Despite the poll boycott call given by the separatists, the polling in the trouble torn state has been witnessing a high voter turnout.

Twenty-one assembly constituencies in the three districts of Srinagar, Jammu and Samba will go to the polls on December 24 in the seventh and final phase.

The results will be declared on December 28.

The election is to form a new government to replace the Central rule imposed after a Congress party-led coalition government fell in July over a Amarnath shrine land transfer row. (ANI)