Will engage with Pakistan for peace: Modi

We seek friendly relations but without compromising on our interests, says the Indian premier

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that its government is undertaking efforts for peace with Pakistan. At the same time he said his forces at the borders have "full freedom to answer back" in whatever manner they have to.

“Look there are different types of forces operating in Pakistan. But the government only engages with a democratically elected system. Our effort for that engagement is continuing. But our supreme objective is peace,” he told Times Now in an interview.

“We seek friendly relations but without compromising on our interests… I have said that my country's soldiers have full freedom to answer back in whatever manner they have to and they will keep doing that.”

PM Modi throws ball back into Pakistan’s court, asks - even if we talk, who do we talk to? #PMSpeaksToArnab https://t.co/Gobz7EeqRN

— TIMES NOW (@TimesNow) June 27, 2016

Modi was asked what is the 'lakshman rekha' or 'red line' for holding talks Pakistan because in 2014 it was said it will be only talks between the two countries and not with Hurriyat, the second was 26/11 and now Pathankot.

He said, "The first thing is that with whom in Pakistan you will decide about laxman rekha — with an elected government or with other actors. So India will have to be alert and conscious all the time. There should not be any laxity and negligence."



The Indian premier went on to say because of his consistent efforts like the visit to Lahore or inviting Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to New Delhi that he no longer has to convince the world about India's stand on terrorism.

"The world in one voice is praising India's role. Pakistan is finding it difficult to answer. The world is watching. If we remain an obstacle then we will have to convince the world that we are not like this.”

Talking about the Indian government’s steps against terrorism, Modi said: "Earlier the world would not buy India's theory on terrorism and sometime it would even treat it as out law and order problem. Now the whole world is accepting what India says on terrorism.”