At a time when the government faces flak over its “inability” to handle issues such as terrorism and communalism, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh put up brave face and said serious efforts, including strengthening the intelligence units, will be taken to deal with the situation. In a clear warning to neighbouring Pakistan, he said India would not be in a position to continue the ongoing peace initiatives with Islamabad if incidents like attack on the country’s embassy in Kabul happen again.
Prime Minister’s warning to Pakistan could be considered important in the background of the allegations that Pakistan’s intelligence unit ISI is behind the current situation in Jammu and Kashmir over the Amarnath land row. Singh had already taken the Kabul Embassy attack with his Pakistani counterpart Yousuf Raza Gilani at a meeting in Colombo during the recently concluded SAARC Summit.
“The recent blasts in our Embassy in Kabul have cast a shadow over our efforts to normalize relations with Pakistan and to bring a lasting and honourable peace in our region. I have personally conveyed my concern and disappointment to the government of Pakistan,” Singh said at his Independence Day speech here at the Red Fort on Friday.
“If this issue of terrorism is not addressed, all the good intentions that we have for our two peoples to live in peace and harmony will be negated. We will not be able to pursue the peace initiatives we want to take. The terrorists and those who support them are enemies of the people of India and Pakistan, of friendship between the two countries and of peace in the region and the world. We must defeat them,” the Prime Minister added in his address to the nation.
Taking a serious note of the crisis in Jammu and Kashmir, Singh appealed to all political parties to come together to find a permanent solution to the problems of the state. “Issues related to this sacred place, especially the issue of providing the best possible facilities to pilgrims, can only be resolved in an atmosphere of peace and goodwill. Dividing people in the name of religion can complicate these issues further which can also pose a threat to the unity and integrity of the country,” he said hoping that the issue will be resolved through dialogue.
The Prime Minister also said that his government will take concrete steps to rehabilitate and help the families of the victims of terrorism. “Terrorism, extremism, communalism and fundamentalism have emerged as major challenges to the unity and integrity of our country,” he said citing the recent terrorist attacks in Bangalore, Ahmedabad and Jaipur. Though appreciated the security forces and intelligence agencies for their “dedication,” he agreed that there is a need to “further strengthen” the intelligence agencies and police forces to deal with the prolem of terrorism.
“We will examine the functioning of our intelligence agencies and police and security forces and take all possible steps to equip them to tackle this challenge.? Singh said.