India talks tough on terror, puts onus on Pak to act
New Delhi has put onus on Pak to act against the terror network.
By ET Bureau |
NEW DELHI: Signalling New Delhi���s willingess to engage Pakistan in talks, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Tuesday said that he would meet the Pakistani leadership ���more than half-way������ if they took strong action against the terror infrastructure targeted at India.
Mr Singh, who was replying to the debate on the President���s address in the Lok Sabha, hoped that the Pakistani leadership would demonstrate ���courage, determination and statesmanship��� to act against terror and ���create an atmosphere��� for improvement of ties.
���We expect the government of Pakistan to take strong, effective and sustained action to prevent terrorism directed against India and use every means at its service to bring to justice the perpetrators of terror attacks, including the Mumbai attacks,������ the prime minister said.
But at the same time, Mr Singh struck a conciliatory note promising India���s full cooperation if the Pakistani leadership took steps against the terror infrastructure. ���If the leaders of Pakistan have the courage, determination and statesmanship to take this road to peace, we will meet them more than half way,��� he said.
Reaching out to Islamabad with the message of peace, prosperity and stability, Mr Singh further said that peace with Pakistan is in India interests as an unstable neighbourhood would continue to be detrimental to India���s interest and growth prospects.
���At stake is the future of 1.5 billion people living in South Asia,��� Mr Singh said. ���It is in our vital interest therefore to try again to make peace with Pakistan. I recognise it takes two hands to clap.��� Mr Singh.
This message to Pakistan is also clearly intended for the US which has promised to work towards normalistion of ties between India and Pakistan. US undersecretary of state William Burns and secretary of state Hillary Clinton are expected to visit in the coming days and weeks. And there is an expectation that the US will start piling up the pressure on India to move towards normalisation of ties.
But New Delhi has put the onus on Islamabad to take action against the terror network. It is increasingly difficult for the Indian government to take the first step in the absence of any move by Islamabad to check the terror network.
As far as New Delhi is concerned Islamabad���s action against terrorism continues to be focused on its Western border against the Taliban but groups that target India are not been affected by the ongoing Pakistani action.
Apart from Pakistan, concerns also remain on Sri Lanka with Mr Singh asking the Rajapaksa government to ���show imagination and courage��� in meeting the concerns and aspirations of the Tamil people.
Mr Singh also touched on India���s ties with China saying that India doesn���t see Sino-India ties ���in antagonistic terms.���
Mr Singh, who was replying to the debate on the President���s address in the Lok Sabha, hoped that the Pakistani leadership would demonstrate ���courage, determination and statesmanship��� to act against terror and ���create an atmosphere��� for improvement of ties.
���We expect the government of Pakistan to take strong, effective and sustained action to prevent terrorism directed against India and use every means at its service to bring to justice the perpetrators of terror attacks, including the Mumbai attacks,������ the prime minister said.
But at the same time, Mr Singh struck a conciliatory note promising India���s full cooperation if the Pakistani leadership took steps against the terror infrastructure. ���If the leaders of Pakistan have the courage, determination and statesmanship to take this road to peace, we will meet them more than half way,��� he said.
Reaching out to Islamabad with the message of peace, prosperity and stability, Mr Singh further said that peace with Pakistan is in India interests as an unstable neighbourhood would continue to be detrimental to India���s interest and growth prospects.
���At stake is the future of 1.5 billion people living in South Asia,��� Mr Singh said. ���It is in our vital interest therefore to try again to make peace with Pakistan. I recognise it takes two hands to clap.��� Mr Singh.
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This message to Pakistan is also clearly intended for the US which has promised to work towards normalistion of ties between India and Pakistan. US undersecretary of state William Burns and secretary of state Hillary Clinton are expected to visit in the coming days and weeks. And there is an expectation that the US will start piling up the pressure on India to move towards normalisation of ties.
But New Delhi has put the onus on Islamabad to take action against the terror network. It is increasingly difficult for the Indian government to take the first step in the absence of any move by Islamabad to check the terror network.
As far as New Delhi is concerned Islamabad���s action against terrorism continues to be focused on its Western border against the Taliban but groups that target India are not been affected by the ongoing Pakistani action.
Apart from Pakistan, concerns also remain on Sri Lanka with Mr Singh asking the Rajapaksa government to ���show imagination and courage��� in meeting the concerns and aspirations of the Tamil people.
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The prime minister pointed out that India had provided Rs 500 crore for rehabilitation and is ready to give more for the purpose. Mr Singh also touched on India���s ties with China saying that India doesn���t see Sino-India ties ���in antagonistic terms.���
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���We have a large trading relationship and consult each other on global issues. There are of course issues which are complex such as the boundary question but we have agreed upon a mechanism to address this matter,��� he said.Download
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