Pakistan

Leave Kashmir alone and focus on internal problems: Manmohan tells Pakistan

Indian PM talks Kashmir, transit trade with Pakistan and Taliban in a meeting with Indian editors among other issues.

Express June 29, 2011

NEW DELHI: Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh expressed hope that Pakistan will "leave Kashmir alone", as it has its own share of internal problems to deal with, in an interview on Wednesday.

In a meeting with editors of a select five Indian newspapers on Wednesday, he claimed that Pakistan had not done much against terrorism and needs to do more.

Singh said India is not a big player in Pakistan - but whatever its role-engagement is a commitment to our shared geography.

Responding to a question about trade with Afghanistan through Pakistan - he said Pakistan is not ready, adding that Afghanistan is quite keen for trade with India - but they also have to reckon with Pakistan's capacity to protect their enterprises since the situation on the ground is not that good.

On a question, regarding the Taliban, Singh said that the reconciliation talks should be Afghan-led and that one cannot carry the good-bad Taliban distinction much too far, adding that the Haqqani group on the other hand was a much more determined group-perhaps not in league with the Pakistani establishment, but expressed concern about it.

COMMENTS (151)

Dr Priyanka | 13 years ago | Reply

@Sehrish Aslam: We are NOT wisely projecting India. We worked hard to get where we are!

narayana murthy | 13 years ago | Reply @mmmm. What you said is racist, however, let me give a counter point. Agreed, your PM is a better looking guy and possibly Pakistanis are better looking than Indians. But, Pakistanis are also extremely under achievers and hardly as knowledgeable or well read as Indians are. No wonder, you cannot even manage your country.

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narayana murthy | 13 years ago | Reply

@Shahnawaz kashmiri, if you are truly a Kashmiri and not a Pakistani masquerading as a Kashmiri, then you are welcome to become secular and live with India and enjoy everything that comes with India (starting with self respect, which Pakistan lacks. If you really believe that Kashmir is a part of Pakistan, then go seek asylum in Pakistan.

Nonetheless, you will not get an inch of Hindu land that you Muslims have occupied. Hope that makes it amply clear. 60 years has made it clear. The next thousand years will make it obvious.

Dr Priyanka | 13 years ago | Reply

@Haris Chaudhry: atlthough you are brutally frank, I as an Indian do worry about the future. India may be rich now,but why does the money not reach the common man? Everything has become expensive and majority of Indians are still suffering. If you see the NDTV news you can see that for a peon's job people who have PhD and master's degrees have applied. All that glitters is not gold. We are just mute spectators. The game is being played by the mighty politicians.

Superman | 13 years ago | Reply @Star: Regarding your comment of the1/4th brain. I am now convinced why India was pushing thru Bill Clinton and Bush to force Pakistan to have democracy - they knew that would ensure 1/4th brain where as they were afraid of the military rule which had 200% brain. At that time Bill Clinton and Bush were too naive to understand the shrewd Indian strategy. There you go . . . if you can digest this!

Sheru | 13 years ago | Reply @Hedgefunder; In no uncertain words you have expressed India's motives and intentions whic is - The longer this issue is dragged and delayed, the easier to get rid of. But here is the natural problem, Kashmir issue is not going away and acknowledging the Indian mindset of 'delaying tactics', the Kashmir issue is on the alert to get into Fast Tract. When injustice and human right violations are done to one family member (Indian occupied Kashmir) then naturally the other family members (Pakistan) get disturbed and out of sink resulting in disharmony. Solving Kashmir issue is bringing peace to the region. So, it is definately in India's interest if they desire peace with their neighbour. The sooner the better. Have your choice.

Sheru | 13 years ago | Reply @Hedgefunder; Pakistan has more than one department to deal with its other issues and one of the other department - the "Kashmir" department is Alive and vibrant. It will keep on talking to the UN and to all peace and justice loving nations about the atrocities and human right violations committed by India with the iron hand of its 700 plus Indian troops on the innocent Kashmiris. This is the hot spot and justice needs to prevails, as Kashmiris are the flesh and blood of Pakistan. So, in essence, Kashmir issue is very much Pakistan's internal issue as they are 'One Family'. So in the interest of fairness and peace, justice must prevail atleast for the sake of Humanity. Kashmir will never be betrayed and forgotten, as this is Pakistan's promise to its Kashmiri brothers and sisters. ZAB made this promise and made it very clear that Pakistan will Honor this!! Hopefully, in the interest of humanity, this can be settled peacefully.

Hedgefunder | 13 years ago | Reply @Sheru: Don't hold your breath !! As Pakistan is not exactly flavour of the decade with rest of the civilised world at present, that they will come and do your bidding !!! Did you not listen to Obama's speech, when he made it perfectly clear that its a matter for the countries concerned to resolve without outside assitance!!!! Perhaps Not !! The Fact of the matter is that this is not going to be resolved in mine or your lifetime atleast, and if by that stage if Pakistan in its present form does even exist, than perhaps they will continue the dialogue to resolve the issue!!! The likelyhood of existance is a principal issue at present for pakistan and pakistanis ought to work and ensure that first, than try dealing with other matters!!!!

Sheru | 13 years ago | Reply @ Kasim Lahore; Your fierce loyalty for India is obvious. Remember one thing - Garbage in.Garbage out. Also remember, one day USA will be ready to support Pakistan in honoring the UN resolution for the independence of illegal Indian occupation of Kashmir as this has held even a higher priority than East Timur or South Sudan. So just wait for that day and by the way USA is not interested in India's vicious proxy wars as it will not stoop so low.

Sanjeev Jha | 13 years ago | Reply Well I am not a big fan of Manmohan Singh, he is better when he is not given the option to speak....but one admiration for the Sardar " Agar bolta hain to karta hain". He pulled the Indian economy from morass and then set it on the trajectory....2 decades have past by and still the growth phase continues. The last time he spoke with authority was for the Nuclear agreement...and he was ready to resigned if required, but would not scuttle the agreement. His comments on Kasmir should be intrepeted in right manner - "Can weak Goverment take hard decisions to find a permanent solution, current status of Pakistan will not have the will to a ambicable solutions". Other burning problems for Pakistan are on the rise...so rather than who blinks first, lets have a honurable and workable solution for India, Pakistan and Kashmir.

PoorPeace! | 13 years ago | Reply @Peace...Don't want to reply and glorify creature like you. take ur interpretation of UN resolution to UN and Good Luck.

S Khan | 13 years ago | Reply @S Khan: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j2KnNfAQNq8 link for discussion I refered in previous post.

Awed | 13 years ago | Reply What right did Pakistan have to handover the disputed land of territory not assingned to them during independance process @HedgeFunder: If only you had bothered to verify facts you would have have known that the border agreement of 1963 between Pakistan and China is of provisional nature and is subject to the terms of the final settlement of the overall Kashmir dispute. So nobody has handed over anything to anybody per se.

Peace | 13 years ago | Reply @PoorPeace: You’re so hopelessly blinded by hatred that you fail to see the truth staring you in the face. Mr. English did paragragh 5 of Article A just magically vanish while you were reading it? It clearly states that if local forces should be found to be inadequate [for law-and-order], the Commission, subject to the agreement of both the Government of India and the Government of Pakistan, should arrange for the use of such forces of either Dominion as it deems effective for the purpose of pacification. The UN called on the Commission to the use of forces from either country for maintenance of law-and-order. Maintenance of law-and-order in Kashmir and not Mars. The UN resolution never called for Pakistan forces to completely withdraw as is evident from this para. Instead it called for withdrawal of tribesmen (that were engaged in fighting) and of non-resident nationals (so as not to skew the plebiscite in Pakistan’s favour). The UN resolution also calls for India to withdraw its forces and maintain them at a bare minimum. Now tell me genius, these FATA tribesmen that you speak, are they there in Kashmir? Have they been there since after 1948? No. And since the tribesmen had left how in the world would Pakistan furnish material support to them? The UN resolution clearly calls for the Commission that upon withdrawal of tribesmen and cessation of fighting to ensure that Indian forces are withdrawn to a minimum. All fighting had ceased in 1949. But did india withdraw? Did india withdraw when Nehru stood up and declared that he would not implement the UN resolution in 1953? Now a lesson in history: Nehru was jolly happy to go to the UN for a plebiscite in 1948 since he had Sheikh Abdullah on his side and he felt he could win it. In 1953, when he suddenly had a premonition that Sheikh Abdullah may well be harbouring separatist notions himself, he put him behind bars and refused to abide by the UN resolution. This is the sole reason why the resolution remains unimplemented till today. Spew out the lies you have been fed and double check your facts.

Leon Khan | 13 years ago | Reply @Sanjay Sharma: Hats off to you...we need balanced people like you on both sides....

PoorPeace! | 13 years ago | Reply Resolution 47 called for Pakistan to withdraw tribesman and other nationals not resident in Kashmir. Pakistan readily did so. Resolution 47 does not call for Pakistan to withdraw its forces from Kashmir. @Peace...Dude don't distort the facts!!! You produce out right lies and then crib that I call you names! Go to 2nd last para on page 4 Here-UN resolution, it clearly states "the government of pakistan should undertake to use its best endeavors to secure the withdrawal from the state of jammu and kashmir of tribesmen and pakistani nationals not normally resident therein who have entered the state for the purpose of fighting, and to prevent any intrusion into the state of such elements and any furnishing of material aid to those fighting in the state". NOW few points to be noted: 1) World considers pakistani army as pakistani nationals, who were there to fight and not for a game of poker. Resolution asked for their withdrawal-Did not happen so resolution invalid. 2) Tribesmen in question were also from the infamous FATA region of pakistan, hence again pakistani nationals. Resolution asked for their withdrawal-Did not happen so resolution invalid. 3) It clear mentions that no material aid should be furnished by pakistan to those fighting in the state. 4) The resolution was passed for the whole state of Jammu and Kashmir. But a part of it was "generously" gifted by pakistan to its all weather friend China thus making the resolution invalid. It is just a part of the text from the same link you provided, many more other conditions can be found which too were not met by the pakistanis. Was it really so difficult to comprehend this simple english??? My advice: Just FORGET about kashmir. You never gonna get it. No amount of crying, rhetorics, war mongering or foot-licking of Chinese masters can get you that.

Hedgefunder | 13 years ago | Reply @Awed: It is always nice to bring in UN and talk about referendums, but tell me why did Pakistan hand over a part of territory belonging to Kashmir to the chinese??? Did they consult UN or even the Kashmiri People??? What right did Pakistan have to handover the disputed land of territory not assingned to them during independance process?? Now how come they want to go to UN, when UN was not consulted during this handover to Chinese!!!!!!! It does not work like that in real world, so start acting smart and deal with the mess you have created and exported elsewhere first in your own back yard, otherwise Uncle Sam will come and deal with it!!! So much for your Ghairat, and double standards!!!!

Hedgefunder | 13 years ago | Reply @Sid: I like your philosopical approach, and message for Kashmir!! But enlighten me, why such approach has not been used for the Baluchs in their provience??? Or perhaps this is another example of being selectine to suit your needs!!!!! Forget kashmir, no Indian Govt will ever consider handing it over on plate to Pakistan, its not in their interest to do so politically nor the people of India will allow such an act!!! In meantime Pakistan should just try and solve the internal crises which are mushrooming by day, as if that is not tackled with prompt and efficiency, one may not have a country left in its present form !!! Just look around, within the country and see the multiple problems facing its people and the nation !!!

Arindom | 13 years ago | Reply Funny so many Pakistanis so agitated about human rights violation in Kashmir!! No one mentioned about blatant genocide in Tibet - recognised by the world - or does only muslims have human rights?

Awed | 13 years ago | Reply @Human Being: "There is in fact no solution which is acceptable to all." There is a solution. Pakistan has never talked about "getting" Kashmir. All we've ever demanded is the right to self-determination for Kashmirirs. Lets hold a plebiscite in all of Kashmir under the UN, and let them decide their future.

Udaya Bose | 13 years ago | Reply Pakistan must never give up on Kashmir. The more time, money and energy that Pakistan expends on Kashmir, the greater is India's gain.

Ahmer Ali | 13 years ago | Reply Assalam-o-Allaikum Warahmatullah.Much the best solution of Kashmir issue but first Indian government must withdraw its all cruel and brutal troops from Kashmir and don't declare it India's integral part.Give all due freedom to Jammu Kashmir or Indian Occupied Kashmir free of Pakistani and Indian governments' interference.

Sanjay Sharma | 13 years ago | Reply Dr Manmohan Singh replied to a query which was raised by a journalist during conversation. He just referred to problems of Pakistan which are more damaging in today's terms than the issue of Kashmir. He is fully aware of problems currently being faced by Indian nation. Maoists are hell bent to overthrow a legitimate Government and want to install ideologically different Mafia rule in the country. But that insurgency is limited to tribal areas and did not pose threat to a surging economy. Whereas Pakistani nation is embroiled in systemic collapse of institutional democracy. The Government is weak and the Military does not want to shed its lust for power. The elected people in the Government in Pakistan are not allowed to rule country by the unelected and unelectable real rulers i.e. the Army. That is why the elderly statesman impressed upon the need to look beyond the tricky discourse. Take a cue from India-China relations. We were squarely defeated in 1962 war when Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru was Prime Minister. Like every Indian he too was sad and did not survive much longer. But that was not the end of the road and Indian strengthened economy, military and image. China grew enormously on all fronts but India was not overawed by such phenomenal Chinese growth. India prepared herself to defend by any further Chinese aggression. Nobody in India wants a war with any neighbouring country. Chinese story of growth should be adopted by India and Pakistan both in positive terms. Will India ever be able to snatch Muzzafarabad ? No. Can Pakistan be ever able to get whole of J&K ? The answer is again no. Will India & Pakistan both allow independence to Kashmir ? Answer is a big no. What will then happen? The answer might be difficult but both countries can explore ways to coexist - with or without Kashmir. Or with what they have as of now and further try to make conducive atmosphere for better days. The present state of India is that she is still not out of woods but can see light at the end of tunnel. Pakistan is a country of intelligent and bright people. Do not treat Indians as brothers but they could be good friends. India is still facing lots of problems of regionalism, castism, religious intolerance, corruption and poverty, but the Governments and people are trying to address and manage them well. Problem-areas have been clearly ascertained. Dr Manmohan Singh is Prime Minister of the present Government. He is economist and not a politician or hawk. He thinks in terms of economy. It is better to have an economist Army General in Pakistan too. He might be of great help to civilian rulers in the country. If Pakistan flourishes, India will too flourish.

Sid | 13 years ago | Reply Someone rightly said "When the power of love will overcome the love for power, people will know peace". For Pakistanis, Kashmir is and never was a part of land to grab. It is all about the people and their aspirations for the freedom and justice. The sooner our counterparts in India will understand this, It will be in the best interest for the people of the whole region.

Sameer | 13 years ago | Reply Thank you to Dawn and ET for being the only two beacons of hope for the Pakistani media. The Urdu media might as well fall into a crater and disappear so that Pakistan might get more intelligent.

Human Being | 13 years ago | Reply Comments from above made me to think about following points. Pakistani can not forget Kashmir in spite of so much internal problem. Whether Balochistan remain with or secede from Pakistan, whether TTP occupied whole of Pakistan or extremism and terroristm gripped the country. GDP growth plummeted to below 1%. Same is true for India. They can not forget Kashmir. Whether come in the way North-east or Maoist problem, communal riots or cast problems. When their is a matter of Kashmir every one is determined. They could have survived with and would have loved Muslims of now Pakistan in United India but the hatred and distrust sown in last 60 years made them resolved to not give even an inch in the name of Kashmir to Pakistan as it was given in the name of Pakistan. Now it is to Pakistan to decide, whether they want to come openly or hide behind the masked and coward terrorists. Treaty on Kashmir acceptable to all the people looks a distant and day dream. There is in fact no solution which is acceptable to all. Situation and future is a grim and more so for poor Kashmiri people. And what India and Pakistan will do?................................except for to continue to fight for next 100 years and so on till one of them disappeared from the face of earth. Long live Pakistan. Long live India. And long live their animosity.

Menon | 13 years ago | Reply @Maria: You are one deluded human being. India is causing all the problems in Pakistan while the entire planet knows you are under attack by terrorists you created to bleed India. How did that work out? You are under attack daily, economy is crumbling, absolutely no cerdibility on the planet and you think India is creating all the troubles in Pakistan. Don't have enough problems between you, US and Afghanistan. Your are scared because, your eastern neighbor has achieved the status of global power, and in the west, you border Afghanistan and they hate you. Pakistan does not want a stable and prosperous Afghanistan, you want it to be vassal state and they don't wan't to and are not going to.

Menon | 13 years ago | Reply @Sohail: Looks like you are talking to yourself. "You won't get an inch of Kashmir", now that's funny. What have you been taught in your convoluted schools? Kashmir is in Pakistan? Truth is, Pakistan is the epicenter of global terrorism and Pakistan is going to get put in its place.

PoorPeace! | 13 years ago | Reply @Chandio...I was just confirming dear fellow. Sarcasm for self is rare thing for pakistanis so was surprised. Peace!

De Silva | 13 years ago | Reply As a Sri Lankan, I love to see Indians and Pakistanis fight. You continue fighting like kids...the world has progressed so much. Go to Hell!!!

Badhavas | 13 years ago | Reply @pl/sql: But if Shahnawaz Kashmiri moves t his promisd land that which is Pakistan- then Drones will follow him, remember what happened to other kashmiri, Go smell the burnt flesh

Nasir Khan | 13 years ago | Reply Manmohan Singh is absolutely right We have sacrificed our three generation for Kashmir. We lost East Pakistan for Kashmir We made Atom Bombs, the most un-Islamic weapon , costing life and blood of Pakistanis for Kashmir. We can not take Kashmir by force from India. Settle the dispute 'as where it is' and concentrate our new generation

S Khan | 13 years ago | Reply I am not sure why my comment are not published even though comments are topic related. My comment of earlier article were also not published.

S Khan | 13 years ago | Reply @Maria: Interesting discussion. Host seems to be obssessed with K word and like you blame India for every thing. Intelligent and realist panel give some bitter pill. Host even blame India for failed trade talk with EU on India as if India is so powerful to influence EU. Even for argument if I agree to India's influence, think for a moment, why India is so powerful today? India and we got same time after independence???? One of analyst says that we can't hold Balochistan and Fata and still obssessed with 'K'' and 'India'. Military consumes 70% budget because of obssession with 'K' and country is starving. It's not only Dr Singh is saying this, whole world is saying this. WAKE UP,WAKE UP..

Sheru | 13 years ago | Reply @Kasim Lahore Once again, its an Indian strategy to dilute the Kashmir issue by pointing out Pakistan's internal issues. Pakistan's internal isuues are Pakistan's business. But any dialogue with India should keep alive and vibrant the Kashmir issue and place top priority on 'Kashmir'. Period. :)

Safir afkhan. | 13 years ago | Reply MR sikh its too late we can not forget kashmir its run in our blood. its we dont enen forget dehli where all the history is ours.

Chandio | 13 years ago | Reply @PoorPeace: ...but you have just ridiculed your fellow pakistanis. Its called sarcasm my dear fellow. And are we now going to have a fight about who hates who more? Where is that going to lead us?

LOL | 13 years ago | Reply @amoghavarsha.ii What in the world is Balouch and NWF? Of course I've been to Balochistan and Khyber-Pakhtoonkhwa (formerly NWFP) if thats what you mean. And so far as I can tell I am still in one proper piece, thank you very much. But going anywhere wasn't the point I was trying to make, was it? No, it was about recognizing the plight of tens of millions (and in your case hundreds of millions) of poor and doing something about it, rather than indulging in cosmetic politics as your PM is evidently doing.

PoorPeace! | 13 years ago | Reply your hearts and mind are filled with hate towards poor, illiterate and starving PAKSITANIS….. @Leon Khan...Brother, I don't know if you did it intentionally but you have just ridiculed your fellow pakistanis. And brother if you have read the comments on this page then you will realize that its pakistanis and not Indians who are blind with hatred.

akash | 13 years ago | Reply the more you talk about kashmir... the more it benefits india.. if you know what I mean. so our righteous and morally oh so pious neighbour.. please keep your kashmir cause burning.. for our benefit.. :-)

Abdur Rehman | 13 years ago | Reply The biggest problem of Pakistanis is that we have this tendency to deny facts and find comfort in delusional conspiracy theories and half-baked truth. We started the uprising in Kashmir in 1965 but we ended up fighting for Lahore and Sialkot. Kashmiris have always wanted complete independence from India, Pakistan and China. Yet, we continue day dreaming an Islamic Republic(Pakistan) which stretches from dry, barren lands of Afghanistan, to oil rich Central Asia to fertile plains of Ganges and mountainous terrain of North.

asif | 13 years ago | Reply Word on the street is that Kashmiris hate India but I guess shameless Indians have no problem with it their obnoxious pontification on these pages. Wish they would leave Kashmiris and us alone and move on with making cow-dung patties or producing ever more coolies. Times of India seems like a good home for Hindutva shills and other assorted third-world superpower fantasy nuturers.

Leon Khan | 13 years ago | Reply Wow....I got so tired for being run across the highly educated great brains of INDIANS and need to take some rest....I fell petty for you (INDIANS), you call yourself educated, progressive and on move but your hearts and mind are filled with hate towards poor, illiterate and starving PAKSITANIS.....

amoghavarsha.ii | 13 years ago | Reply @LOL have u travelled to Balouch, NWF, Waziristan, .........sorry, I should have asked, are you allowed to travel......err...sorry, I should have asked, are you brave enough......err sorry... Do you think you can come back in one proper piece if you went there? Ha, yes that is the right question. The last time I read in ET, a journalist who knew the truth and uttered it in Islamabad, did not turn back to his house. In india, we can travel there ( i mean civilians common civilians)

Peace | 13 years ago | Reply @PoorPeace! Whoa thanks for the personal attack. But sorry, i won't indulge in name calling. I am quite privy to what you have been fed regarding the UN Resolution 47 of 1948 vis-a-vis the India-Pakistan question. I suggest rather than verifying with a 'neutral' source you read the text of the resolution itself. http://www.un.org/documents/sc/res/1948/scres48.htm Resolution 47 called for Pakistan to withdraw tribesman and other nationals not resident in Kashmir. Pakistan readily did so. Resolution 47 does not call for Pakistan to withdraw its forces from Kashmir. Under the UN Commission for Kashmir set up under UN resolution 39, Pakistan agreed to withdraw its material and its forces, if the Commission could ensure the bulk of Indian forces too would withdraw, keeping only a minimum for law and order, during the time for the plebiscite to take place. Of course, we all know it was Nehru who categorically dismissed the resolutions in 1953, and refused to hold a plebiscite. Nobody in Pakistan talks about "getting" Kashmir. What we've ever talked about is respecting Kashmiri's right to self-determination. Its only India that chooses to hold onto it like a crazed, impish child. Azad Kashmir maybe an imperfect, temporary set-up. Yet, its way better than a half-million troops cocking their guns at your doorstep. Regarding 1971, there's a reason why countries don't exist with two wings separated by a thousand miles of hostile territory. Don't knock yourself out.

Hedgefunder | 13 years ago | Reply @John Bibi: The world knows the history as to what happened with Jinnah's muslim dream! But sadly the people who should know this, namely the Pakistanis don't, due to them being taught very selective history that their Army and Govt wanted them to study!! Hence the defecit in their knowledge as to the reality!!!!!

asif | 13 years ago | Reply Word of advice for Indians: Kashmir is the only issue between us. We have nothing else to discuss with you except for the catastrophe your troops have created in the valley. We expect you to come to the negotiating table knowing that if this issue is not resolved, you will be responsible for it and will pay for it dearly.

asif | 13 years ago | Reply The bottomline: Kashmiris don't want to have anything to do with India. They are literally being held captive by half-million army. Simple fact: Indians of mostly Hindu variety can't come to term with this outright rejection.

R S JOHAR | 13 years ago | Reply The Indian PM has given a sound advice to Pakistan which is on the brink of dis-integerating due to internal threat from militant organisations and sectarian violence to focus on these grave issues and forget the Kashmir problem for the time being. These words of wisdom from Mr Singh should not be taken as an evasiary tactics but for the well-being of its neighbour who is going through an extremely difficult scenario.

John Bibi | 13 years ago | Reply @Sehrish Aslam, we are a bigger country than you with a population 5 times bigger than yours and naturally face "mor problems" yet we try to work it out not blame US, Soviet, british, mugals, hindus before than barbarian habits for all faults. and to the @anonymous "Give independence to Kashmir and several north eastern Indian states. Then concentrate on the rest of the population." this is what we did when Jinnah asked for a muslim county the world knows the result :)

Mark | 13 years ago | Reply Wow. Guys, seriously, your obsession with India is becoming a mental disorder. He didn't say anything to inspire more than half of these comments and many are just insults without any real reference to the article information at all. No, I'm not Indian and I honestly have no opinion of the man.

LOL | 13 years ago | Reply For all those Indian's in need of a Reality Check: Things may look all rosy and bright from the comfort of your living rooms. With all the pleasures of life at your door-step, why not? But how many of you have actually gone up to the homeless guy on the next street and asked him if he feels things are as bright around here? Or better still, traveled to one of the many remote villages of Jharkhand and asked them if prosperity has trickled down to them yet? Despite healthy economic growth over the past decade (which has only really made the rich richer and the poor more poor), more than half of India's population lives below the poverty line. One-third of the world's poor live in India. It also has a higher proportion of its population living on less than $2 per day than even sub-Saharan Africa. http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2008-08-27/india/278930901poverty-rate-power-parity-decline http://www.wsws.org/articles/2010/aug2010/indi-a02.shtml No wonder Maoist insurgencies have sprung up in up to 20 of 28 Indian states. Where they seek to bring about a democratic-revolution. Funny, I was under the impression India was already a democracy. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/8659501.stm India is no better, if not actually worse, than Pakistan when it comes to poverty. This is the real issue of the masses. So, rather than throwing advises where they aren't needed why don't I get my act together, eh, Mr. Manmohan?

amir | 13 years ago | Reply Mr Singh Kashmir is not just a piece of land which Pakistan leave it alone. Your own politics is in the hands of someone names "Sonia". Corruption, separatist movements, genocide by state officials, have delusion-ed you Mr. Singh and you made this statement. Kashmir is our blood, flesh, culture, our kith and kin and above all is related to us ideologically. The ideology which separated us in 1947. Try to save your position and take care of your own problems at home. And please never try to talk about big and international issues like Kashmir as you have a problem of "Vision".

PoorPeace! | 13 years ago | Reply @Peace...How about a change in name for you? How about hate & stupidity? Your ignorance is superseded only by your stupidity. You people keep screaming at the top of your voice plebiscite, plebiscite, plebiscite. Why don't you just find out from some neutral sources why plebiscite was not carried out? Why not approach UN now for that if you are so confident. Go go. Go now. How come you know Shahnawaz has been living there for generations? And why did you ignore Nusrat then? Matter of convenience isn't it? Forget Kashmir. You won't get in pakistan's life time. Concentrate on what you have or else you risk losing that too. Maybe then your words will come true. Pakistan's land will be merged with India's forming Akhand Bharat. Insahallah!!! Anytime you feel a bit too much perked up just remember what happened in 1971. That should bring in some sense. Till then keep dreaming. Happy dreams!!!

PoorPeace! | 13 years ago | Reply even from 2002 to 2005 We were the Asian Second fastest growing economy just second to China @Aadersh...You people are just too good in inventing lies. Why don't you just stick to lies that is difficult to prove unlike this one. Just have a look. GDP comparison-India, China and pakistan That should help shed some ignorance. While your poverty has declined but that is in large parts thanks to your chief donor US. Poverty in your country has declined in precisely in the same period when US aid money started to flow in - from 2002 to till now. Though you can keep writing, screaming against India, in all caps but that would not change the ground realities.

Kasim, Lahore | 13 years ago | Reply @Sheru: Yes. Kashmir is our top priority. Terrorism, Education, Energy, Industrialization, Poverty etc. etc. can be tackled later if possible. Who cares? Inshallah the day should not come when Pakistan is broken in to 4 pieces as planned by Isreal, US and India. Already People are labelling me as Indian when ever I am commenting against Kashmir, but many are commenting against Pakistan Govt. and Army. They are labelling themselves as true and patriotic Pakistani. Allah should save us. Allah Hafiz.

Chand | 13 years ago | Reply @blithe: 80% live below 2 dollars a day.. i don't know where you get such "baseless information"

Bharat | 13 years ago | Reply @Maria: This is really a sorry state of affairs in Pakistan. please try to understand the United Nations resolutions first it says the pre conditions for a so called referendum is Pakistan withdrawing its forces from POK, this condition is not fulfilled by Pakistan. Now when we talk about Kashmir it means the whole of Kashmir which includes POK as well. Please try to gather information about human rights abuses there from independent sources and no1 there can contest elections without signing the statement saying that the person favors kashmir's merger with Pakistan. When we talk about human rights abuses we need to talk about both sides of Kashmir. And as far as Pakistan is concerned, it also doesnt favor the independence of Kashmir as well if you have any idea about the stated policy of Pakistan on Kashmir. Now, my point is that lets not make Kashmir suffer because of Indo Pak rivalry. We need to do whatever possible to help Kashmir and Kashmiris get back to the normal lives they deserve. They have already had enough at the hands of Indo Pak rivalry. Perhaps in this context these comments were made. India only wants and expects Pakistan army not to support terrorist activities across the border and I guess it is a very reasonable expectation by a civilized society from a civilized society.

Sheru | 13 years ago | Reply May be the best thing for Pakistan should be to bring Kashmir as top priority subject matter and if India tries to avoid the subject and dance around, then Pakistan should not entertain any other subject matter desired by India. Kashmir and water issue first, as due to its age, it supercedes all other issues. India is most welcome if it honestly wants to resolve Kashmir settlement issue and honor UN resolution, otherwise no discussion on topics they want. Pakistan should keep its dignity and the promise to honor UN resolution for the just settlement of the disputed, illegally occupied Kashmir by India. Good Luck to both the neighbours.

Sameer | 13 years ago | Reply For all of those in need of a history lesson: *Pakistan's invasion of Kashmir in 1948 is what drove Kashmir to want Indian military support. *The UN Resolution Requires all of Kashmir to vote as one. That means Northern Areas, AJK, Aksai Chin, and Indian Kashmir. When China and Pakistan make that happen, I'm sure India would be more than happy to allow a vote in Indian Kashmir (which also includes Jammu and other areas by the way). Don't be surprised if the people of Kashmir really want nothing to do with Pakistan (or India or China). I doubt people in Srinagar are clamoring to be treated like second-class citizens as their cousins in Muzaffarabad are. If they have it bad now, they aren't fighting to have it just as bad in another country.

PoorPeace! | 13 years ago | Reply @Peace...How about a change in name for you? How about hate & stupidity? Your ignorance is superseded only by your stupidity. You people keep screaming at the top of your voice plebiscite, plebiscite, plebiscite. Why don't you just find out from some neutral sources why plebiscite was not carried out? Why not approach UN now for that if you are so confident. Go go. Go now. How do you know Shahnawaz has been living there for generations? And why did you ignore Nusrat then? Matter of convenience isn't it? Forget Kashmir. You won't get in pakistan's life time. Concentrate on what you have or else you risk losing that too. Maybe then your words will come true. Pakistan's land will be merged with India's forming Akhand Bharat. Insahallah!!! Anytime you feel a bit too much perked up just remember what happened in 1971. That should bring in some sense. Till then keep dreaming. Happy dreams!!!

Pak Kashmiri Bhai | 13 years ago | Reply REMEMBER: Kashmir was never a part of India and never will be. India should remember this and let go of Kashmir if it wishes peace with its neighbour. 'Cause Fair is Fair and Just is Just and facts cannot be changed. With all the land India has, wonder why it is hanging on to Kashmir so desperately.

bc49er | 13 years ago | Reply Kashmir or bust.

bc49er | 13 years ago | Reply Dear Pakistan For your entire existence you've been trying to find your purpose in life. You are the "Land of the Pure", the defender of South Asian Muslims, the liberators of Kashmir, the atomic Muslim nation, the enemy of "Hindu" India. But your are unhappy. Take a long hard look in the mirror the reason for your unhappiness will be very apparent.

Rifaye(India) | 13 years ago | Reply From all the pakistani comment, i see that they speak as if they are the most advanced nation, and saying you do better take care of yourself. A nation that cant even control 2/3 of its geography, dreaming to occupy kashmir. As an Indian, i can say that no kashimir would want to leave a growing india, even if they want to leave (may god forbids it ), i can assure you that they never want to be part of pakistan, perhaps they ask for independence the days are not too far for pakistan to achieve the no1 failed nation in the world, and the west turns embargo and economical sancation against pak..but i wonder if india would do that, as long as Mr singh is PM. This man has got some real intention to solve the issue. unfortnatley most of the heads across the border are empty and hardly think,,... the best comparison of india and pakistan is south korea vs north korea..i dont have to tell who is north and who is south, and we dont want to integrate with pak like the south asking north koreans..

LOL | 13 years ago | Reply @Sonam Shyam: The reason Pakistani retorts are headed your way is because it is your PM, and not China's, who decides one fine day that all his country's problems have been solved and its high time His Exalted 'Consultancy' set about giving governance advise to his neighbours. Every country has a set of unique challenges that it faces. India, Pakistan and China are no different. Unfortunately, India is that annoying neighbour that just cant help poking its unwarranted nose into other peoples business.

Sohail | 13 years ago | Reply @Gin and other supporters of Manmohan stop living in fool's paradise dude, ur billion would be against ur govt are fifth of a billion would be against ur army dude... its not abt land for us man, our lifeline depends on Kashmir, rivers that flow through it are the life line of this country... this is the reason the issue being unsolved for this much time, had it been abt the land only sumone would have given up... if not Pakistan better make Kashmir independent but letting it go to India is sumthin unimaginable for Pakistan... would Indian trust to give all its river sources to Pakistan on bases of some promises and meager penalty money... ask urself and decide.. we need to solve the issue and best way is to meet the choice of the population of the whole region, not on the bases of what Pakistan could handle or not... Kashmiris dont want u, ask them..

Moderate | 13 years ago | Reply We will leave Kashmir alone when you follow the UNO resolution over this issue, otherwise India is our enemy as long as it occupies Kashmir, period. There should be no trade with them until then. @all those Indian in this comment section, why are you all afraid of UNO resolution, if you are so confident that Kashmiris voting in your favor then why dont you lot take a rally in your cities and ask your Govt to do it. Everything will be cleared then and dont have to biker with each other after that.

Aadersh | 13 years ago | Reply Not having a stable economy is just a matter of time if v r not so good at the moment v can get back to track after few harsh decisions...even from 2002 to 2005 We were the Asian Second fastest growing economy just second to China...in 7 years from 2000 to 2007 our poverty rate declined by 10%....This menace of terrorism has caught us once we get rid of this we will get back to track InshaALLAH...so I guess Mr. MMS along with Congress & whole of India don't really need to worry about Pakistan's internal problems...infact they should concentrate on their own problems, separatists movement in India r more than any other part of the world, Poors in India are more than any other part of the world even more than whole of Africa..2 million people sleep on footpath in Mumbai forget about the rest of rural India...HIV/Prostitutes/Discrimination with Dalits & minorities etc etc these all are the pride of India...So STOP DREAMING & STOP CRYING BHARAT!!! KASHMIR BANEGA PAKISTAN ;)

Peace | 13 years ago | Reply @Antony: The reason there are upto 500,000 Indian troops in Kashmir and not in Tamil Nadu is that that is the only thing stopping Kashmiris from making Kashmir a part of Pakistan.

Peace | 13 years ago | Reply @Gin: Whenever was Kashmir a part of India? Poor Nehru had to approach the UN on the issue and promised to hold a plebiscite. Then again, that's probably how you guys laid claim to Delhi as well?

Peace | 13 years ago | Reply @vasan Wow, thanks buddy for clearing up the facts. The Indian government has been vehemently denying all this time that they are not in the endeavor to change Kashmir's demographics. But you come up here and spill the beans... Mr. Shahnawaz has been living in Kashmir for generations. Kashmiris have the ultimate claim to Kashmir. Why don't you leave him and his land alone?

Peace | 13 years ago | Reply @PoorPeace Really? Im in favour of merging the two countries and calling it Pakistan too... But we want equal rights in this new setup. Just as we had been demanding all along but were faced up with mulish intransigence.

Sonam Shyam | 13 years ago | Reply It's a pretty sane advice from Dr.Singh but as usual the average Pakistani has taken offence to it. The usual retort from the Pakistani bloggers is to remind India about its poverty, naxalism and "Imagined Insurgencies". Another view I am reading among the Pakistani bloggers is that India has more problems than Pakistan but better marketing by "Hindu Banias" has made India the toast of the world. I am amazed that why the Pakistanis keep thinking or keep imagining that they are India's rivals? Why can't the Pakistanis compare themselves with their all weather friend China and compete with them? Why India???????. Would any Pakistani answer this question? Do the Pakistanis know that there are at least 250 million poor people in China? Why don't you ever highlight poverty and horrendous human rights violations of Chinese government? Does any one in Pakistan care about the Chinese occupation of Tibet? Or is it that only Muslims suffer human rights violation in the world? I am afraid, but the common Pakistani has very narrow perspective of the world affairs and everything is understood through the prism of Islam only. Lastly, sorry to disappoint my Pakistani friends but the fact is that maintaining status quo will be the only viable solution to the Kashmir problem. It's better to be pragmatic and stop day dreaming about getting Kashmir.

The Oracle | 13 years ago | Reply @Atlantique: Of course. It will be Kashmiris yearning for Pakistan that will bring that about. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gxJVWuTN3cM

Gin | 13 years ago | Reply @Sohail Kashmir was, is and will always remain with India. Any Govt. at the center in India cannot even imagine letting go off Kashmir. If they even try, they will face the wrath of 1 Billion people. As for Pakistan, you better take care of what ever you have before it is too late and forget about Kashmir.

Bangash | 13 years ago | Reply India should leave Kashmir according to Kashmiri wishes. It will solve all problems between India and Pakistan.

PoorPeace! | 13 years ago | Reply @Bhola...Kashmir as the only uniting force behind India!!! Hahahaha. Clearly you know precious little about the world outside pakistan. I don't know what education system you went through but clearly it was inept.

Observer | 13 years ago | Reply @Shahnawaz kashmiri: Really my friend??? Just curious - How old are you? Do you ever read any news let alone follow world affairs? Ever been outside of Kashmir? Wake up buddy...the world we live in has come a long way...

antony | 13 years ago | Reply I am really very curious what would independence of a indian state into a country give a country man ? . Azadi ? ..freedom is a feeling which can be felt even in India . I am from tamil nad and if tamil nad gets independance what would I get ? .people will speak tamil more and more tamilians in all affairs and what is happening right now ? exactly that !!! .Plus easy access to any state plus fruits/food/medicine/technoloy/business ownership/land holding and major one security (Blue water navy/large army/Good Airforce) .. What more a citizen want ? I dont get it . Indian side kashmiris get all these things with one and only problem..Army at their door !!! .Army can be terrorising in some cases and this problem is only after 1989 ..Believe me if Army is stationed round the clock before my house in Tamil Nad ,i would hate it . To give Indian kashmiris what every indian enjoys I would request pakistanis to arrest jihadis and treat Indian Kashmir as east bengal or Indian Punjab and subsequently Indian army will be back in barracks in no time ..We are not attacking what you have .Please dont attack what we have.

Arjun | 13 years ago | Reply @Aadersh: And Pakistan is doodh ka dhula right with absolutely no disputes with a single neighbour of course. Never mind that Iran, Afghanistan and india all consider your country to be the main headache in the region. You will never understand that every country has issues big and small with it's neighbours - not a single country that doesn't. Keep praying.

vasan | 13 years ago | Reply Shahnawaz Kashmiri: Have you crossed the LOC into POK. If not start the journey today.

PoorPeace! | 13 years ago | Reply Kashmir banay ga Pakistan! @The Oracle... For that to happen pakistan banega India!!!

PoorPeace! | 13 years ago | Reply @Sehrish Aslam...Please feel free to market your country too. I dont think anybody stops you from doing that. In any case your army has been selling your country so successfully to other nations since long so you should have no problem doing the same. Heard that your country has started renting out its land to other nations like UAE, S. Arabia for agriculture etc. Is the situation so bad?

PoorPeace! | 13 years ago | Reply @Bhola, @Frank... I love you guys. You are the epitome of the ills that besiege pakistan. Always insecure, always hateful, always more attracted to rhetorics than facts; you people are incorrigible. I have read your comments on several issues and have come to the conclusion that no matter what you don't peace in the region. I don't know how it helps you.

ali | 13 years ago | Reply We should not be demotivated with the statement of Mr.Singh.. Compare to Mr. Singh our PM is more elegantly dressed, speaks extremly good English and more knowledgeable... His entire family get their treatment in UK and US. Mr. Singh what will you do after retirement you do not have any estate in India or abroad to live. Our leaders have the best places to live around the world. You must be aware that the international economy is based on the savings of our leaders. How you can ask us to leave Kashmir, that is the land which we need to maintain our standard of living. I strongly suggest that you should never try to solve this issue. There are many people on both sides who's earnings are linked with this issue. Kashmir zindabad, pakistan Zindabad

Nusrat (Kashmiri) | 13 years ago | Reply @Shahnawaz kashmiri.... I am also a kashmiri muslim and I am Indian, and I have also seen from close quarters what havoc militants trained from POK create in my land. My father's generation was perhaps deluded by the idea of merging with pakistan but no sane kashmiri will now join pakistan when it is in tatters. We are far better off with India, if you don't like it then why not cross the border? We will be better off without people like you.

Bhola | 13 years ago | Reply @ Hedgefunder Likewise it is not in India's interest to resolve the Kashmir issue; Indians want to keep Kashmir burning; because once resolved, India will have no common enemy (Pakistan) and India will revert to various feifdoms rukled by rajas and maharajas like it has always been. Indians should be thankful to Pakistan, as it is the only power which is uniting India.

Rock | 13 years ago | Reply @Bhola:Mr. bhola nath you are too using indian name. isn't it? bholanath means Shankar(God). Anyway entire pakistan is using an Indian language as your national language and you guys don't have problem with that funny?

Kasim, Lahore | 13 years ago | Reply @Bhola: I am not an Indian (Of course my Wife is Indian and I too have my roots in India). I can understand your doubt on my nationality is based of my questions and also: Because Pakistanis should not talk against Kashmir and should be in dream that Indian Kashmir will come to Pakistan. Whenever I am asking any tough questions that irritates many and labelling me as Indian. Please note that I am not against my Country or Army. But a Pakistani who is thinking normally, educated, unbiased (may be 10% Indian influence) can think in this way only. It's OK. Let us go with Kashmir ship and let us sink together. Who am I to bother about Nation's development. Kashmir is our primary issue. BTW, still no one answered my questions (Probably you also don't have any answer and agree my comments),, but simply diverting the matter like our Politicians. Allah Hafiz.

India view | 13 years ago | Reply Hmmmm.... I've noted some points of view expressed by you people. I'd like some clarification on the same 1) Kashmir is majority Muslim and so..... After partition Muslims left for Pakistan leaving the rest at the mercy of what would happen. Thank goodness to the democratic principles we(India) follow they today prosper more that Muslims in Pak. Muslims must decide ...if u want to go ...ALL need to go... Sorry to say this is across the world Muslims do this. When in majority they want a muslim state with sharia etc, when in minority they want minority rights, democracy. You think the world does not notice the hippocracy?? 2)The recent so called Azad Kashmir Poll debacle was not enough... anyone contesting elections in POK has to swear allegiance to Pak... hypocrites

Pundit from Kashmir | 13 years ago | Reply @Shahnawaz kashmiri: I am pundit from kashmir and i want you, Shahnawaz kashmiri, to merge with pakistan. Please cross the border and get merged!

G. Din | 13 years ago | Reply Et tu, ManMohana!!!!!!!!

Leon Khan | 13 years ago | Reply This shows who will benefit the most from internal instability within Pakistan and proves involvement of New Delhi through Kabul to stir up the situation in Pakistan. Mr. Singh remember you are not America and even a single Pakistani out of over 170 million is left, s/he will not back out as far as the issue of Kashmir is concerned.

Atlantique | 13 years ago | Reply Pakistanis wont forget kashmir but they cant do a damn thing to take away kashmir from india

Jhelum | 13 years ago | Reply @all pakistanis: Keep day dreaming of getting kashmir as your grandfathers had dreamt..@all pakistanis: Keep day dreaming of getting kashmir as your grandfathers had dreamt..

Hedgefunder | 13 years ago | Reply I don't believe that its in the interest of pakistan's army to have any resolution in Kashmir !! They will automatically lose their self importance and pakistanis will then start questioning their Largesse to this million strong institution!!! Furthermore why is it that the Pakistanis are assuming that the Kashmiris would be willing to join with their Nation?? They are not that stupid, they too have seen the situation that Baluchs are facing with the ruling Punjabis and Sindhis!!!! So they really should not assume that Kashmiris are just going to join them!! If the Pakistan is that confidant, then offer them the referendum, but the results may not be to their liking.

Bhola | 13 years ago | Reply @ Kasim, Lahore First I know you are not in Lahore - its just your way to underline that you are from Pakistan - which you are not, secondly why Indian trolls like you need to hide behind Pakistani names, be brave and forthright, i know Indians in general are a scared lot but you don't need to be scared here, you can comment without being beaten down, unlike many places in India -- All your comments are only for the Indians - and as you can see they love it ...

Bhola | 13 years ago | Reply All Pakistan's problems are linked to Kashmir, once the Kashmir issue is resolved then there is no problem. India should stop worrying about Pakistan and Afghanistan and focus on handling its own issues which are a plenty.

mmmm | 13 years ago | Reply Not too related, but our PM is so much better looking than India's... Shows how Pakistanis truly are the more beautifal race :) PS: Mr Singh, once everyone finds out the Mumbai attacks were an inside job ur in for it!!!!

The Oracle | 13 years ago | Reply Kashmir banay ga Pakistan!

Sehrish Aslam | 13 years ago | Reply indians in general and indian media in paarticular is very good at marketing. if we look into the statisctics there are more problems in india than in Pakistan. yes their economy is growing faster than us but they have mor problems pertaining to provincial instabilities, poverty, crime and so on and so forth however they have been very wisely projecting india at international level. before giving such statements, they need to look into their own house first!

no aman ki aasha nor war | 13 years ago | Reply @kafka....no kashmir unless a militant one would be willing to join kashmir..if muslim identity is to make a nation, why dont u have guts meger all muslim nations and make one bigger muslim nation...u beg and u dream...what a combination

vasan | 13 years ago | Reply Kasim, Lahore. Your's is one of the sanest comment from Pakistan. Wish more people are like u. Our PM MMS says exactly the same ie Attend to your local problems first.

no aman ki aasha nor war | 13 years ago | Reply this made my day...funny lolz..for all those kashmir;s willing to join pakistan...dear brothers please move away...we have more than 120 crore ppl in our country and we wont miss u guys who want to go to pak....ur leaving of the country will definately go unnoticed ;)

Kafka | 13 years ago | Reply Pakistan may forget Kashmir........... but make the Kashmiris forget Pakistan too.

Kasim, Lahore | 13 years ago | Reply Dear All, What an thinking by our Pakistani people that Kashmir belongs to Pakistan. Any one can assure that 1). Indian Kashmir will choose Pakistan if any refererundum happens. - No Guarantee. They will choose Independence rather than Pakistan. 2). All the Internal problems in Pakistan will be solved if Kashmir joins with us - No. Rather problems will increase. 3). Our economy will boom if Kashmir joins with us - No. We will become bankrupt after spending on Kashmir. Remember Indian Govt. spends lot of money on Kashmir. 4). We can able to protect Kashmir against Chinese Invasion - No. Even it will be difficult for India. If China invades, we are just viewers. Can't do any thing. Don't think Chian will not do like this. See their history with India. 5). India will not interfere in Balochistan after solving Kashmir issue - No. India will try more vigorously to dismember Balochistan and naturally they will get support from International community as Kashmir and Baloch issues are almost similar. Some times it is better to keep quite rather than talking louder. Please keep quite on Kashmir issue and lot of internal problems like Electricity shortage, Price hike, Cross border terrorism by Afghan, 43% Poverty, Public Sector losses etc.. etc.. etc.. are in waiting, to be solved on priority basis. Allah Hafiz.

Pradeep | 13 years ago | Reply @Mirza I have been reading your comments for some time now. You are a true patriot of your country. Taking the right sides in the various debates. I agree that this statement by our PM was an unnecessary one. Especially from someone with his maturity level in approach to political affairs. It is perhaps an indication of the tremendous pressure that he is facing from his countrymen and his country's media.

MAD | 13 years ago | Reply You know I have to agree with him for once. we've wasted far topo much time and far too many lives on a wasted cause.

Raja | 13 years ago | Reply @asif: I think Pakistan belongs to India......

Dude.. | 13 years ago | Reply Guys forget about kashmir.. If 18 crore pakistanis want kashmir to be part of pakistan.. 120 crore live indians wont let it go to pakistan. Max possible is autonomy or loc as border..

vasan | 13 years ago | Reply Friends from Pakistan should note that MMS did not ask for POK at all. Like India has left POK , he has asked Pakistan to forget about J&K

Raj | 13 years ago | Reply "You can change your friend, you can not change your neighbor" Atal Bihari Vajpayee

pl/sql | 13 years ago | Reply @Shahnawaz kashmiri: Well then why don't you just move out of Indian land and migrate to Pakistani-occupied Kashmir? You can rest assured that we won't miss you. LOL

Patriotic Pakistani | 13 years ago | Reply He is damn right!

sumeet | 13 years ago | Reply so our PM proved that he is no lame duck sitting at 7RCR.our pm must look into massive corruption and black money scandal and how to tackle it. @all pakistanis,i always love your comments when it comes to kashmir.what i clearly see is you people's frustration.the biggest thing is our pm who was admired by our neighbour as good and sane person some time before is now evil and insane.i want my pm to be just like that when it comes to kashmir and pakistan.

anil | 13 years ago | Reply Manmohan is very much right.Now there is nobody on earth to demand Kashmir,so better utilize this time to make country more better.Blackmoney,Green revolution,education are the factors to focus on.You need fire to burn a house,boiled water can't burn a house,,,,so,don't listen what others are saying.

Pak Kashmiri bhai | 13 years ago | Reply India can dream on . . .it has tried to pull all kinds of tricks on Pakistan to divert its attention from Kashmir but one thing is for sure and that is Pakistan will stick by its obligation, promise and commitment to free its Kashmiri brothers and sisters from the bondage and the evil and shrewd clutches of India. All those Indian terror agents causing chaos into Pakistan cannot kill the spirit and promise of Pakistan.

Frank | 13 years ago | Reply If the Indians think we are ever going to just forget about their occupation of Kashmir they are very badly deluded.

Mr.(un)sharif | 13 years ago | Reply I think Pakistan is saying the same too... "Leave the Kashmir Alone"..... and pull out around half a million troops out of occupied Kashmir... Then only we can think that India is focusing on the Global issues ..!!

R | 13 years ago | Reply There is NO harm in expressing one's views with respect in the forum that ET provides. But bigoted attacks against others - in this case Mr. Singh, are neither an expression of being Pakistani nor Muslim.

Sameer | 13 years ago | Reply There's an amazing amount of (a) ignorance and (b) hatred on these comments. First and foremost, Dr. Manmohan Singh is a Sikh. The same people who get angry when "bearded" is used as an adjective to describe a fundamentalist are the people who use terms like "Sikh clown" (@ asif) or "blue turbaned headless puppet" (@Shahnawaz) - sorry, I had to correct your spelling Mr. Kashmiri as your control of the English language seems quite weak. Asif also seems to think that "Hindus" need to understand something. Asif might want to learn that India has over 200 million people that are NOT Hindus including 180 million Muslims. The whole "India is Hindu" is not cutting it. It's a stupid comment that obfuscates any real conversation. My apologies for using vocabulary that may make Mr. Asif and Mr. Kashmiri have to search online but I doubt ignorant people like them will. The simple fact of the matter is India and Pakistan both have plenty of issues to deal with. Let's fix our countries and then worry about our combined issues.

SHERDIL SEHGAL | 13 years ago | Reply WHY DON'T YOU DO WHAT U ARE SUPPOSED TO DO AND WE WILL MAKE IT EASY ON YOU AS A NATION

ashwin | 13 years ago | Reply MMS is being stupid to ask Pakistan to concentrate on internal issues.Pakistan concentrating on Kashmir means Pakistan trying to fight a asymmetric war in India using it's terror factories in the process training it's people to become suicide bombers where as India is training it's people to face the future.At the end Pakistan will end up with terror camps on it's soil and India with Industries, all this because of Kashmir.

Bilafond | 13 years ago | Reply Singha Jee, you want us to do more, we will DO MORE in Kashmir. We love when Americans dictate you with DO MORE MANTRA. Trade with Afghanistan -- you have to do more than DO MORE. Settle Kashmir - have plebiscite.

Analyst | 13 years ago | Reply Pakistan should double the defense budget , more bullet-proff BMWs and if people have to eat grass and we lose Baluchistan, so be it. We have to get Kashmir. : Establishment.

Nazir Habib | 13 years ago | Reply Hokay! Mr. Singh we will forget about the portion of Himalayan location that has bedeviled our relations for 63 years. But are you willing to kick the US out of India, withdraw all your forces from Afghanistan and stop the genocide in Kashmir. We have an intrinsic correlation with Kashmir because of our common religion and its contiguity with the Pakistani landmass. Yes! We do have economic problems, dire indeed, on which you have scored a direct hit. Remember the late great Zulfikar Ali Bhutto agreed with Mrs. Indira Gandhi on settlement of indo-Pak issues through bilateralism? But first kick the 'Fitna, Fasaad and Fasiqs' out of the Indo-Pak landmass.

Shahnawaz kashmiri | 13 years ago | Reply Shame on this blue turbaned headless puppett namely woman mouse singh. I'M FROM INDIAN OCCUPIED KASHMIR AND I WANT TO KASHMIRS MERGER WITH PAKISTAN. Inshaallah.

asif | 13 years ago | Reply This sikh clown does not know what he is talking about. Hindus better understand this : Kashmir belongs to Pakistan

AnisAqeel | 13 years ago | Reply At the moment we need comparatively but nationally weak military and strong civilian institutions to combat any problems and that is the only solution. Our military has not learnt any lessons from its past and has brought this nation to the verge of collapse and as an institution they are way too strong to obey constitution or civilian institutions. If there is no change in the path they are heading, there is strong possibility to lose part of Pakistani northwestern Kashmir (to create access to Afghanistan), Blochistan and Fata. We need not to worry India as there is no match, now we should start worrying Afghanistan and stop thinking that USA is stupid and we can control the situation once USA is out of Afghanistan. They are not going out of this area for a very long time and their next stop can be Pakistan if we stay unaltered.

Yasir Mehmood | 13 years ago | Reply @haris chaudhry i salute your observation no wonder we are heading towards international isolation.

vasan | 13 years ago | Reply I think it is the most blunt statement from a scholarly, statesman like PM of India. Pak should deeply introspect and follow this advice. Friends who keep harping on Maoists, internal problems of India etc, may please be advised to read the news again, MMS did not ask Pak to worry about India's own problems , but to worry about Pak's internal problems which are aplenty and will keep any govt on its toes. Kashmir should not be a distraction or drug to hide the reality of Pak state from the people. Kashmir problem can be dealt in a much more peaceful way once Pak stabilizes.,

anonymous | 13 years ago | Reply Give independence to Kashmir and several north eastern Indian states. Then concentrate on the rest of the population.

Mirza | 13 years ago | Reply Dear Indian PM, please keep your advice to yourself. This open advice can only create more reactionaries in Pakistan. When we cannot take any advice on this subject from Pakistani citizens and started calling them names, how can we even think of listening to your advice? Kashmir is the main reason or justification for keeping such a huge army for the size of Pakistan. Why would the army want to become serious about solving the Kashmir issue and make themselves irrelevant? Kashmir is the matter of life and death for certain groups in Pakistan and they would keep it alive at all costs. This would be taken as interference in the affairs of Pakistan and would only be misunderstood.

Spud | 13 years ago | Reply @Haris Chaudhry: excellent comment. Whenever India is mentioned almost every Pakistani sees it as a Hindu nation to be destroyed by Muslims. India is a secular nation busy building its economy which will give its citizens a better standard of living. We do not have bomb blasts unless they are perpetrated by ISI instigated felons.Indians generally do not hate Pakistanis or any other nation around it. If our focus was that we would not have reached the level we have reached today. India has 4 or 5 billionaires in the top 10 in the world. My advice to all is to forget past animosities and focus on education, emancipation of women and become less Islamist. Thanks and best wishes too you all.

Amir | 13 years ago | Reply Mr Singh, Leave Pakistan and focus on your internal problems like the 100 + separatist movements going on in India today and being the country with the largest population of poor and HIV infected people on planet earth.

Pakistan Zindabad | 13 years ago | Reply main word is "internal" ... Kashmir is Pakistan's "internal' problem and inshallah after your advise we will focus more on it :)

someguy | 13 years ago | Reply Haris One of the most sensible comment I have read here

blithe | 13 years ago | Reply The blue-turbaned penguin should remember that 1/3rd of Indian territory is under Maoist insurgency, 80% live below 2 dollars a day, 750,000 Indian soldiers are stationed in Kashmir to terrorise the Kashmiris... He should also remeber that Kashmir is NOT part of India; it is a disputed territory where a free and fair plebecite needs to take place to determine if the Kahsmiris go for Pakistan or India...

Star | 13 years ago | Reply Well said. 100% in agreement. At the current speed at which Pakistan is going down the main line, it's not even going to be able to hold on to it's largest province Balochistan, and as it is it has no control over large swathes of it's territory in the North. N.Waziristan and S.Waziristan are already gone, Balochistan, Karachi, KP soon to follow. Forget Kashmir. The last thing in the world that any society or population with 1/4th of a brain would want is to become part of Pakistan.

Zetto | 13 years ago | Reply I can assure you Mr Manmohan that all differences apart, when it comes to Kashmir, we Pakistanis stand united for the cause and darn right you can count on it.

Asad | 13 years ago | Reply I wish we had a leader like Mr. Singh, at least he makes some sense...

Haris Chaudhry | 13 years ago | Reply Manmohan could not have said it more succinctly ! Forget about Kashmir, if we could just keep the rest of the Pakistan intact, then it will be a great win for the nation. I say to fellow Pakistanis, stop day dreaming about Kashmir and instead focus on saving Baluchistan and FATA. We do not belong to the league that India plays in now. We are a third world, broken, destitute nation that feeds its naked and hungry with aid from western nations and is basically a crippled nation with no sense of pride left within the masses. We are going backwards. India is gearing up to be a direct competitor to the other super power China. India's economy, its global standing in the comity of nations, its influence, its military might, research, democracy, institutions, infrastructure and the pride of its people in being "Indians" just does not remotely compares to the naked and hungry masses of Pakistan. We are like that school bully who could never do well in class with no friends yet keeps picking a fight with those that are far stronger and better than him. A true case of Attention Deficit Disorder. Unless we realise the rut that we are in and immediately take charge, the relationship and standing of these 2 nations will be akin to North and South Korea - Same nation, same people, same language but whilst one is dictatorial and ruled by military with its masses indoctrinated with how the world is conspiring against it, people dying of famine, no industry but a massive 500,000 strong army with its leaders ready to throw tantrum to seek attention whilst the other nation (South Korea) is democratic, peaceful, a technological and economic power, its citizens committed to prosperity and its institutions strong and its military subservient to its civilian rulers. I bet my bottom dollar that if things keep the way they are then the relationship between Pakistan and India will be similar to the 2 Koreas !! Wake up and smell the air before its too late !

Aadersh | 13 years ago | Reply Hah!! Obviously India will come with her vary dream of Pakistan leaving the Kashmir so they may continue the genocides against the innocents in Kashmir...A BIG SHAME on so called Democracy...India is a menace in the region...there isn't a single neighbor of India who is happy with them starting from Bangladesh to Sri Lanka,Nepal,China,Maldives and ofcourse Pakistan...India is having disputes with all of them...

zeeshan | 13 years ago | Reply what?? You have Maoist terrorism holding a chunk of your imperialistic state and you imposed state terrorism on Northeast and Kashmir, so where did you get this haughtiness to lecture Pakistan? Are you that delusional Mr.Singh? Kashmiris viewed you and your country as a brutal colonial state. May we suggest you to ask Kashmiris whether they are Indians or not? BJP learnt a powerful lesson last time when they wanted to wave your flag in Srinagar. May I suggest your party to learn from it too? And talking about internal problem, get a huge mirror Mr.Singh and look at your own land.

Maria | 13 years ago | Reply I hope that now Pakistan understand why India is causing so many problems in Pakistan through their agents. Their plan is to busy Pakistan with internal problems so that India can continue to deny the rights of our Kashmiri brothers and sisters who are denied the right to vote on their future to join Pakistan in accordance with United Nations resolutions.

Hedgefunder | 13 years ago | Reply This is the first sensible statement from this PM, who is rather weak due to his party's coalition deals and further more being born in Pakistan too!! Yet he is our PM, show me one person who possibly can achieve the role in Pakistan of today?? Not that anything will materialise from this, Pakistan has a Drug called Kashmir to play with, however they really are reluctant to deal with!!! Simple solution, can Pakistan really offer the decision to the people it matters, not the ones that they have imposed in the region?

A Khan | 13 years ago | Reply Mr. Singh so much water has gone under the bridge we cannot retreat a single inch on the Kashmir issue.

Saad | 13 years ago | Reply well, he is right if you think about it. we're not capable of handling the country we already possess and yet we want kashmir as well!

Sohail | 13 years ago | Reply Leave Pakistan alone, focus on ur 40 % population that lives under $1 a day, or I should say survive... Kashmir would never be left by Pakistan because 18 crore people would not let this, u won't fight with the a million army, but ur 2 million strong army would have to fight a fifth of a billion to even think of getting even an inch of Kashmir Mr manmohan...

Shameer | 13 years ago | Reply Dear Sir, Please forget about pakistan and we will forget about kashmir. I can understand it is difficult to keep trying to hold on to kashmir and balochistan at the same time and that the time has come for us to decide whether we need kashmir or balochistan because truly we are on the verge of losing both.

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