India’s patience has limits, President tells Pakistan

Mangaloretoday/DHNS

New Delhi, August 14, 2013: On the eve of Independence Day, President Pranab Mukherjee on Wednesday said that India’s “patience has limits”, perhaps giving a veiled warning to Pakistan for repeated ceasefire violations along the Line of Control (LoC), including last week’s killing of five jawans alongside in Jammu, which are threatening to wreck bilateral relations.

 

Without naming Pakistan in his speech, Pranab Mukherjee said, “Despite India’s consistent efforts to build friendly relations with neighbours, there has been tension on the border and repeated violations of ceasefire along the Line of Control, leading to tragic loss of lives. Our commitment to peace is unfailing, but even our patience has limits. All steps necessary to ensure internal security and protect the territorial integrity of the nation will be taken.”

The President’s tough-talking coincides with the counter-resolution passed by Parliament rejecting Pakistan National Assembly’s assertion blaming India for border skirmishes.  The resolution, adopted unanimously by both the Houses on Wednesday, stated that Pakistan National Assembly’s charges were “absolutely baseless and unfounded”. On the contrary, the Pakistani Army was actually involved in “unprovoked” attacks along the LoC, it pointed out.

Mukherjee also appreciated the courage and heroism of the armed forces in maintaining eternal vigilance, and paid homage to those who have made the supreme sacrifice by giving up their lives. The President also singled out Red terror as a source of threat to internal security by saying that the “barbaric face of Maoist violence in Chhattisgarh led to the loss of many innocent”.

Mukherjee also highlighted the growth of the common man’s “widespread cynicism and disillusionment” with governance and functioning of institutions. But, in the same context, he exhorted people to elect a stable government in the 2014 Lok Sabha election, which will bring security and economic development.

“This great festival of democracy is an opportunity for us to elect a stable government which will ensure security and economic development,” he said.