17 June :
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has asked Pakistan to show the same determination against terrorism directed against India as was being done in dealing with Taliban and Al-Qaida, responding to which President Asif Ali Zardari sought "some time".
Singh laid down the yardstick for Zardari during their ice-breaking meeting on Tuesday in the Russian town of Yekaterinburg and told him that if Islamabad shows "courage, determination and statesmanship to take the high road to peace, India will meet it more than half the way."
Speaking to accompaning journalists while returning from Yekateringburg after his three-day visit, Singh said Zardari talked about "difficulties" that his government is facing in fighting terrorism.
"I explained to him that whereas Pakistan has taken strong and effective action against Taliban and Al Qaida, we have a strong feeling that those elements who are responsible for attacks in our country are not being brought to justice," Singh said."We wish Pakistan well in dealing with Taliban, Al Qaida but I would like Pakistan to show the same determination in dealing with elements who operate from Pakistani soil and commit acts of terrorism against India," Singh said.
Responding to Prime Minister’s blunt talk during the 40-minute conversation, Zardari sought to assure him that he was "sincere" in fighting terror and sought "some time."
Giving details of his talks with Zardari, Singh said they discussed Indo-Pak ties "which remain under considerable stress and strain, the primary cause of which is terrorist attacks against India emanating from Pakistani territory."
He said he had conveyed to Zardari the "full extent of our expectation that the government of Pakistan take strong and effective action to prevent use of Pakistani territory for attacks against India and brings to justice perpetrators of past attacks, including those of Mumbai massacre and dismantle the infrastructure of terror in Pakistan."
Foreign Secretaries of the two countries will discuss what Pakistan is doing and can do to prevent terrorism from Pakistan against India and bring to justice those responsible for these attacks, he said.
Singh made it clear that he would try again to make peace with Pakistan but for it to happen, Islamabad needed to take "strong and effective" steps against terrorism directed against India.
“I have spoken before also about my vision of a cooperative sub-continent and of the vital interest that India and the people of the sub-continent have in peace. For this, we must try again to make peace with Pakistan” Singh said. (DD-17.6)
Govt recognises seriousness of naxalism, will deal with it: PM
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has said his government "fully appreciates" and recognises the seriousness of the naxal problem and asserted that effective action would be taken to counter the menace.
He said the government has "good ideas" on dealing with the problem but refused to go public on these.
"I have said many times that naxalism is a great danger to our polity," Singh told accompanying journalists while returning from Yekaterinburg after a three-day visit.
"The Home Minister has good ideas. We will take effective action and we have plans," he said.
Refusing to spell out the strategy, Singh, however, said "its seriousness is fully appreciated and recognised by our government." (DD-17.6)
Human rights violations in J&K will be dealt with firmly: PM
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said that his government is committed to ‘zero tolerance’ against rights violations and effective action will be taken in such cases.
Responding to a question on the Shopian rape case, Dr. Singh said it was "very unfortunate" that such incidents have taken place.
"If there is any violation of human rights, we will take effective action," he told journalists.
The government was committed to ‘zero tolerance’ to rights violations, he added.
Kashmir has witnessed protests and demonstrations for several days over the alleged rape of two girls, suspectedly by some security personnel.
Dr. Singh, who was speaking while returning from his three-day visit to Yekaterinburg in Russia, said he has promised the state Chief Minister Omar Abdullah that once the new central government settles down, it would take a fresh look at the problems on account of development.
He said the reconstruction and development plan would be upgraded.
On the political aspect of Jammu and Kashmir, he said he stands ready to engage in dialogue with any group, including those who are not in political mainstream, an apparent reference to separatist Hurriyat Conference.
"I have not given up hope on Jammu and Kashmir," Dr. Singh said.
"We would be happy to engage in dialogue with any group which is interested in talking. That option remains. We will welcome even those who are not in the political mainstream. If they have any views, they are welcome to give," Dr. Singh said.
Recalling that he had two rounds of talks with Hurriyat Conference, the Prime Minister said they had promised to send proposals on resolution of Kashmir issue but never sent those.
They had also said that too many people had been detained without any reason, Dr. Singh said, adding when asked for the list, they never gave one.
At the same time, he said, "I am not complaining. We are willing to engage in dialogue with anyone who is ready to shun violence."