External Affairs Minister says that there is little alternatives to talks. PHOTO: FILE
Statements from the Indian External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid, President Pranab Mukherjee though came after the Indian parliaments passed resolutions rejecting similar resolutions in Pakistan and deploring their neighbour for “unprovoked attacks”, NDTV reported.
In an exclusive interview on the programme “Frankly Speaking” with Times Now Editor-in-Chief Arnab Goswami, Khurshid said that despite the recent situation, they could not just switch off an important relationship.
“There are things we don't like, things we are not happy with, but there are things that we still hope can happen and things that are good in the long run even if you look from the perspective of our national interest and, therefore, you don't slam all doors in one go, unless things are such there is no other option left.”
The minister also referred to the tit-for-tat move of passing resolutions in assemblies of Pakistan and India against each other.
“They started this game of saying something from the assemblies, and I think that wasn’t a very well thought out step,” adding that India has responded to that in kind.
Pressed that why does India not just suspend talks, Khurshid said that there was little alternative to talking. “People have had differences but they have always talked and where is the alternative to talking?”
The minister though said that they will also need to reexamine their approach to Pakistan, where the recently elected government, which had a stated policy during the election campaign of reaching out to India, had not done so.
‘Our patience has limits’
Meanwhile, the Indian President Pranab Mukherjee in his televised address to the Indian nation on independence day, said that despite the country’s consistent efforts to build friendly relations with neighbours, there were tensions on her borders with Pakistan.
“Despite India's consistent efforts to build friendly relations with neighbours, there have been tensions on the border and repeated violations of the Ceasefire on the Line of Control, leading to tragic loss of lives.”
Mukherjee added that though India was committed to peace, its patience was limited and warned that it would take every step to protect its territorial integrity. “Our commitment to peace is unfailing but even our patience has limits. All steps necessary to ensure internal security and protect the territorial integrity of the nation will be taken.”
The Indian President also mentioned the vision and guidelines of self-rule and tolerance of Mahatma Gandhi. “For nearly seven decades now we have been masters of our destiny. This is then the moment to ask: are we heading in the right direction? Gandhiji's vision cannot be turned into reality if we spurn the very values that were compulsory to his cause.
India committed to peace, friendship
Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in his independence day greetings to his Pakistani counterpart said that India was committed to peace and friendship, Press Trust of India reported.
Singh also extended good wishes to Nawaz Sharif for building a peaceful, stable and prosperous Pakistan.
The beleagured prime minister who is set to face elections in 2014, told Sharif that India remains "committed to pursuing peace, friendship and cooperation" with Pakistan.
COMMENTS (15)
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Pakistan and India both should relax and should come to dialogue table to resolve any further tension.It is need of the hour. People do not want wars.We hate them.We cannot go forward without peace.
@Syed A. Mateen: '" India should not try to test the temperament of Pakistan, otherwise it will not be good for India." +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Sir based on past expereince we take this threat very seriously.
Yes. Both Nations need to act mature and think of long term future of peaceful relations and devlopment
Frankly, Pakistanis need not be concerned. Indian patience has no limits unless attacked directly. In that case too they fight back as a last resort. Al Beruni the scholar at the time of Mahmud of Ghazni, 1100 years ago , said pretty much the same thing. He said Indians ( Hindus , different sects of Hindus, Buddhists, Jains etc ) argue a lot but don't fight and do not want to stake there life or property for religion or such other cause.
Why don't you say "Pakistan committed to peace, friendship with India but warns its patience has limits" You are giving impression that Pakistan is responsible for everything and India is loosing his patience? You must be dishonest person.
ET has bit extra affinity to operate as Indian Foriegn Spokessite.
Please ET, tell us more about how it's all our fault...it's not like you have any moral obligation to try to have even a modicum of consideration of Pakistani national interest!
It's to convenient to have Indian versions of headlines on Pakistani websites. Saves us the trouble of having to go to their websites to find out what their propaganda machinery is up to.
Peace is and should be the only option! There should be no need to have a war. No need for soldiers to lose their lives!
I hope Congress loses in upcoming elections of India. Not because they want "peace", but because they are incompetent. Peace cannot be achieved if the civil government of Pakistan says one thing but cross-border infiltration keeps taking place from Pakistan to India simultaneously. Every country's patience has limits; At a certain point, there comes the need when Aggression should be met with aggression. State/Non-state elements emanating from Pakistan have been emboldened due to this same uncompetitiveness of not only Congress government of India but also Pakistan's civil government. SERIOUS efforts need to be undertaken for peace between the two countries, and as a first step for that, I would suggest the Pakistan Army wear bangles and sit in their posh homes or play golf all day long, and let the Indian army takeover the security of Pakistan as well as the job of eradicating terrorism from Pakistan.
sounds like they badly wants a passage to Afghanistan and FOR FREE !!!
If India has patience and limits, so has Pakistan patience and limits.
Pakistan will not allow India to cross the line under any circumstances.
Pakistan's armed forces are prepared with the entire nation to face any Indian aggression.
India should not try to test the temperament of Pakistan, otherwise it will not be good for India.