Independence Day message: Singh warns Pakistan against ‘anti-India’ activity

India’s prime minister says his country’s forces will take steps to avoid any ceasefire violation.

NEW DELHI:

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Thursday warned Pakistan against allowing its territory to be used for any ‘anti-India activity’.

Following a fresh escalation of tension on the border, the Indian premier stated that during the nine years of his government, India has come to be respected in the world as well as the neighbourhood.

“India has always strived for friendship with its neighbouring countries,” Singh said during his annual address marking India’s Independence Day at Red Fort in New Delhi.

“However, for relations with Pakistan to improve, it is essential that they prevent the use of their territory and territory under their control for any anti-India activity,” Singh said.

In regard to the latest series of attacks on the border, the Indian prime minister said “there was a dastardly attack on our jawans on the Line of Control with Pakistan,” adding that the Indian forces would take all possible measures to prevent such incidents in the future.



Singh’s comments came against the backdrop of the killing of five Indian soldiers in disputed Kashmir last week that New Delhi blames on the Pakistan Army and which has stoked tensions.

The renewed tensions have cast a shadow over hopes of a resumption of stalled peace talks between the nuclear-armed rivals.

Singh, however, did not indicate whether he would meet Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York in September.

Foreign Minister Salman Khurshid, though in an interview to Times Now Network, said he was neither confirming nor denying a meeting between the two premiers. “When the time comes, we will let you know,” he told the channel.

In his speech, the prime minister said countries today are more integrated with each other than ever before. “We have endeavoured that our foreign policy exploits this fully to India’s benefit. During these nine years, there has been a continuous improvement in our relations with the major powers of the world. Our Look East policy in respect of the 10 Asean countries in East and South-East Asia has borne good results, especially in economic matters. We have also strived for friendship with our neighbouring countries”, he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 16^th, 2013.