PM Narendra Modi slams Pakistan, reaches out to China

Mangalore Today News Network

Pakistan, Jan 17, 2017 : Pakistan has to come forward and shun terrorism to ensure productive talks, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Tuesday, stressing that India alone cannot walk the path of peace.

 

At the second edition of Raisina Dialogue in Delhi where he outlined India’s foreign policy, Modi took a strategic stand on China, considered Pakistan’s all-weather ally, and said ties between the two Asian giants have immense opportunities.

“It is not unnatural for two big countries to have differences, but we should show sensitivities for regional peace,” he said, close on the heels of the US reconfirming China’s role to throw a spanner in India’s bid for the membership of the Nuclear Suppliers Group.

Modi said India had never shied away from shouldering the responsibility for international peace, but accused Pakistan of failing in its fight against terrorism.

“Our strong belief in de-linking terrorism from religion and rejecting artificial distinction between good and bad terror are a global talking point now,” Modi said.

“Those in our neighbourhood who support violence and terror stand isolated and ignored,” he said, hitting out at the neighbour.


Relations between India and Pakistan hit a new low in 2016, with New Delhi blaming the attacks in Punjab’s Pathankot and northern Kashmir’s Uri on terrorists from across the border.

Pakistan, for its part, accused Indian forces of using excessive force to crush the dissent that swept the Kashmir Valley in the wake of a militant leader’s death in July.

Also, repeated ceasefire violations along the border claimed soldier and civilian lives on both sides.

In his speech, Modi outlined his vision for peace with South Asian countries. He mentioned Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Nepal and Maldives, among others, in the same breath, but left out Pakistan.

“My vision for our neighbourhood led me to invite leaders of all SAARC neighbours, including Pakistan, for my swearing-in,” he continued --- before taking a dig at Pakistan.

International leaders are brainstorming global issues at the three-day Raisina Dialogue, which will be attended by Sri Lankan military leader-turned-politician Sarath Fonseka, US Pacific Commander Admiral Harry B Harris, former Afghanistan president Hamid Karzai, former prime minister of Canada Stephen Harper and former Australian prime minister Kevin Rudd.