PM Narendra Modi on Tuesday asked Pakistan to walk away from terror if it wants to have conversation with India. Clearing his attitude towards an integrated neighbourhood, Modi said his vision for country’s neighbourhood is hell bent on harmonious ties with entire South Asia. He also mentioned several efforts made by him to normalise ties with Pakistan which includes travelling to Lahore; despite a cold relationship between both the countries followed by strikes.
“But, India alone cannot walk the path of peace. It also has to be Pakistan’s journey to make. Pakistan must walk away from terror if it wants to walk towards dialogue with India,” he said while addressing the participants at the government’s geo-political flagship initiative “Raisina Dialogue-II”.
In an obvious reference to Pakistan, Modi also claimed that India’s belief in disassociating terrorism from religion, and rejecting artificial distinctions between good and bad terrorism, are now a global talking point.
“And, those in our neighbourhood who support violence, perpetrate hatred, and export terror stand isolated and ignored”,” he said.
In reference to India’s relation with China, Modi says that some differences between two large neighbouring powers is not ‘unnatural’. And asserted that both countries have equal amount of request for each other.
He said, “In the management of our relationship, and for peace and progress in the region, both our countries need to show sensitivity and respect for each other’s core concerns and interests,”, adding he and Chinese President Xi Jinping have decided to step a foot forward in vast area of commercial and business opportunities in the relationship.
Prime Minister asserted that Asia is experiencing it’s sharpest trajectory of change. Promising large and vibrant pools of progress and prosperity that dot the landscape of this region.
“But, rising ambition and festering rivalries are generating visible stress points. The steady increase in military power, resources and wealth in the Asia-Pacific has raised the stakes for its security.”
“Therefore, the security architecture in the region must be open, transparent, balanced and inclusive. And, promote dialogue and predictable behaviour rooted in international norms and respect for sovereignty,” he said.
He also emphasised that ‘Sab Ka Saath; Sab Ka Vikas’ is not just a vision for India but a belief for the whole world.
