Thursday, January 22, 2009
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Terrorism will not be allowed to destroy polity: PM
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Thursday said forces of extremism and terrorism will not be allowed to destablise India and declared that the country will work with the international community to ensure there is no safe haven or launching pads for terrorists.
"We will not allow forces of extremism and terrorism to destablise our polity and society. We have taken several measures to strengthen our national security and promote national cohesion.
"We will continue to work with the international community to see that there is no safe haven or launching pads for terrorists," he said inaugurating the two-day Pravasi Bharatiya Divas in Chennai.
The Prime Minister's remarks assume significance against the backdrop of his statement on Tuesday that Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba was behind the Mumbai terror attacks and given their sophistication and military precision, they must have had the support of some official agency of that
country.
Singh also deprecated the forces which seek to divide the people on the basis of religion and such other ideas saying they betrayed the idea of India.
Singh said despite the difficult global economic situation, the fundamentals of the Indian economy were very strong and that it was expected to grow at 7 per cent in the current year.
He said India was actively working with other countries in the evolution of a new economic architecture which, he maintained, should be reflective of the changes that have place over the years.
The Prime Minister said India should have the right to get its due place in the evolving global economy.
"We need to ensure that any new architecture that emerges is suited to the new challenges and vulnerabilities facing the world economy and reflective of the changes that have taken place in the economic structure. Countries like India should be given their due place in the scheme of things," he said.
Singh announced that that doctors, dentists, pharmacists, engineers, architects and chartered accountants, possessing the overseas citizenship cards issued by India, would be allowed to practice in the country.
Praising the achievements of the people of Indian origin around the world, he said they knew the meaning of tolerance and the art of living together regardless of caste, creed, religion or language.
"Pluralism and willingness to live with each other despite our differences is a deeply embedded trait of our culture. That is why I have often said that those who pursue the politics of exclusion, of monotheism, who divided people between us and them, betray the very idea of India. Our civilization was built on reason, on the willingness to engage in dialogue," he said.
"We will not allow forces of extremism and terrorism to destablise our polity and society. We have taken several measures to strengthen our national security and promote national cohesion.
"We will continue to work with the international community to see that there is no safe haven or launching pads for terrorists," he said inaugurating the two-day Pravasi Bharatiya Divas in Chennai.
The Prime Minister's remarks assume significance against the backdrop of his statement on Tuesday that Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba was behind the Mumbai terror attacks and given their sophistication and military precision, they must have had the support of some official agency of that
country.
Singh also deprecated the forces which seek to divide the people on the basis of religion and such other ideas saying they betrayed the idea of India.
Singh said despite the difficult global economic situation, the fundamentals of the Indian economy were very strong and that it was expected to grow at 7 per cent in the current year.
He said India was actively working with other countries in the evolution of a new economic architecture which, he maintained, should be reflective of the changes that have place over the years.
The Prime Minister said India should have the right to get its due place in the evolving global economy.
"We need to ensure that any new architecture that emerges is suited to the new challenges and vulnerabilities facing the world economy and reflective of the changes that have taken place in the economic structure. Countries like India should be given their due place in the scheme of things," he said.
Singh announced that that doctors, dentists, pharmacists, engineers, architects and chartered accountants, possessing the overseas citizenship cards issued by India, would be allowed to practice in the country.
Praising the achievements of the people of Indian origin around the world, he said they knew the meaning of tolerance and the art of living together regardless of caste, creed, religion or language.
"Pluralism and willingness to live with each other despite our differences is a deeply embedded trait of our culture. That is why I have often said that those who pursue the politics of exclusion, of monotheism, who divided people between us and them, betray the very idea of India. Our civilization was built on reason, on the willingness to engage in dialogue," he said.
Chennai (PTI): Talking tough, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Thursday said forces of extremism and terrorism will not be allowed to destablise the economy and polity of India and promised to work with global community to ensure that there are no safe havens or launching pads for terrorists.
Observing that the recent terrorist attacks in Mumbai were a grim reminder of the grave threat posed by extremism and terrorism, he said "there are some who would not like to see India succeed.
"But we have shown, over and over again, that we will not allow the forces of terrorism and extremism to destabilize our polity, our economy and our society," Singh said inaugurating the Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas here.
The Prime Minister's observation comes close on heels of his stern warning to Pakistan against using terrorism as an instrument of state policy.
"We have taken several measures to strengthen national security, to promote national cohesion and we will continue to work with the international community to ensure that there are no safe havens and launching pads for terrorists," Singh told the galaxy of people of Indian origin gathered here for the annual event.
The Prime Minister's remarks assume significance against the backdrop of his statement that Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba was behind the Mumbai terror attacks and given their sophistication and military precision, they must have had the support of some official agencies of that country.
Singh also deprecated the forces which seek to divide the people on the basis of religion.
"Those who pursue the politics of exclusion, of monotheism, who divide people between 'us' and 'them', betray the very idea of India," he said "we have been consensual civilization".
Singh also voiced New Delhi's concern over the rise in tensions in West Asia in the wake of attack in Gaza by Israeli security forces resulting in the loss of lives of many innocent men, women and children.
India, he said, has strongly condemned these incidents and hoped that the international community would get together and help restore "peace in the region as soon as possible".
"I wish to reiterate our unstinted and unwavering support for the just Palestinian cause", Singh said.
Addressing over 1,500 delegates from across the world, the Prime Minister assured the PIOs that despite the global economic downturn, the fundamentals of Indian economy continued to remain strong and "we expect to achieve a growth rate of about seven per cent this year, which will be among the highest in the world".
He said much of India's growth was internally driven and he expected that a strong pace of growth could be maintained in the coming years.
India was actively involved in the meetings of the G-20 countries which were deliberating on the creation of a new global financial structure, Singh said.
"We need to ensure that any new architecture that emerges is suited to the new challenges and vulnerabilities facing the world economy and simultaneously it must be reflective of the changes that have taken place in the economic structure over the years," he said.
Singh emphasised that countries like India have a right to be given their due place in the evolving scheme of things.
The overseas Indian community, particularly in the US, came in for special praise by the Prime Minister who said they played a key role in mobilising Congressional support for lifting restrictions to end India's nuclear isolation of last 34 years.
"But much more importantly, this is a sign of the growing role that Indian origin communities are now playing in public policies and opinion making across the world," he said.We'll work with other countries to fight terror: PM
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Thursday said that India is working closely with the international community to ensure that no country is used as a safe haven or launching pad for terrorists.
He gave the statement during the inauguration ceremony of the seventh edition of the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas in Chennai.
Islamabad's admission that 26/11 terrorist Qasab is a Pakistani and the dismissal of the country's National Security Advisor found no mention in the Prime Minister's address at the summit of Indian diaspora in Chennai.
The Prime Minister, also spoke about the protection of Indian workers abroad.
"We have put in place several measures for protection of our workers overseas. We have launched an e-governance project on migration," he said.
He referred to the contribution of five million Indian workers in Gulf.
The event was held at Chennai's Nandambakkam Convention Centre, which has been brought under a tight security blanket since last week following an e-mail terror threat sent to CII purportedly by Indian Mujahideen.
The divas assumes significance as it is the first major international event to be held in the country after the November 26 terrorists strike in Mumbai.
It is for the first time that Chennai will host the Divas which was shifted from Delhi to the city considering its 'safe atmosphere' and also due to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi's keen interest on conducting the event as it will encourage more economic development.
He gave the statement during the inauguration ceremony of the seventh edition of the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas in Chennai.
Islamabad's admission that 26/11 terrorist Qasab is a Pakistani and the dismissal of the country's National Security Advisor found no mention in the Prime Minister's address at the summit of Indian diaspora in Chennai.
The Prime Minister, also spoke about the protection of Indian workers abroad.
"We have put in place several measures for protection of our workers overseas. We have launched an e-governance project on migration," he said.
He referred to the contribution of five million Indian workers in Gulf.
The event was held at Chennai's Nandambakkam Convention Centre, which has been brought under a tight security blanket since last week following an e-mail terror threat sent to CII purportedly by Indian Mujahideen.
The divas assumes significance as it is the first major international event to be held in the country after the November 26 terrorists strike in Mumbai.
It is for the first time that Chennai will host the Divas which was shifted from Delhi to the city considering its 'safe atmosphere' and also due to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi's keen interest on conducting the event as it will encourage more economic development.
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Naxalite groups posing challenges of a 'different' nature: PM
New Delhi (PTI): The issue of Left wing terrorism again cropped up in the speech of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh who on Tuesday said the Naxalite groups were posing challenges of a "different" nature because of change in their ethos.
"Left wing extremism has been in vogue for four decades now, but the danger is that over time the nature of the movement has sustantially altered. From an ideologically driven movement it has been transformed into one in which military ethos has become predominant," Singh said while addressing a day-long conference of Chief Ministers here.
Expressing concern about the exapanding appeal of the movement, PM said that movement still retained modicum of ideological appeal.
"It is able to garner support from among members of civil society and civil liberties organisations. It still attracts sections of youths," he said.
Mentioning about CPI-Maoist, one of the left wing extremist groups, PM said that the group did not seem to have any dearth of new recruits to the movement.
"The CPI-Maoist is perhaps the only militant organisation in the country which has its own guerrilla army, though as yet, this is of modest proportions. It is perhaps the only militant body today which has a rigid organisational structure. They also have some rudimentary capabilities to manufacture arms. They show increasing sophistication in the way they carry out attacks," he said.
"As the movement spreads, and becomes more energised, we must ponder deeply how to effectivly deal with it," Singh said.
"Choosing the right methods and adopting a proper strategy is hence important so that the action we take does not give a greater filip to the morvement," he added.Pakistan official agencies behind Mumbai attack: PM
NEW DELHI: A conference of chief ministers is underway in the capital to discuss internal security, which is being chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh where issues like terrorism, strengthening of intelligence network, security of coastline and key establishments, including atomic sites, will be discussed.
At the meet, the Prime Minister speaking in tough terms, referred to Pakistan and said the country was whipping up war-like hysteria. “Today even as Pakistan engages in whipping up war hysteria, our nation remains steadfastly united and if anything the process of national consolidation is becoming stronger," Singh told a security conference in New Delhi.
The PM said the November 26 Mumbai attacks were clearly carried out by the Pakistan-based outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba. He added the Mumbai attack must have had support from some official agencies in Pakistan. Given the sophistication and military precision of Mumbai attacks, some Pakistani official agencies must have supported them, said the PM. Pakistan is a safe haven for terrorists and a sanctuary for terrorist forces, the PM added. He said infiltration into India is occurring via Nepal and the LoC. Manmohan Singh said foreigners had been targeted in the Mumbai attacks to convey instability in India.
The meeting is likely to formulate a comprehensive approach to deal with the menace of terrorism. The issue of strengthening intelligence collection and sharing mechanism (Subsidiaries of Multi Agency Centre), modernisation of police forces, setting up of commando units in all states/Union territories police forces and discussion on the modalities of the working of the newly-formed National Investigation Agency are also on the agenda of the meeting.
Other issues includes immediate filling up of police vacancies, setting up of the Police Network (POLNET) connecting all police stations through a computer-based system for sharing of information and videos of crime scenes and swift action on police reforms.
Saturday, January 3, 2009
Will go to any extent to root out terror: PM
Shillong, Jan 3 (PTI) Asserting that government will never compromise with those using gun, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today said the government will go to any extent to root out terrorism from the country but was open to hold dialogue with those lying down arms.
"The growing menace of terrorism and naxalism is a cause of worry. The government will not compromise with terrorism," Singh told reporters here.
"There were some initial setbacks, but we will overcome them. The government will go to any extent to root out terrorism from the country," Singh said referring to the terrorist strikes in Mumbai, Delhi and Assam.
Asked whether the Centre was open to talks with the banned ULFA, Singh said, "all insurgent groups must recognise that their only course open to them is to lay down arms. We will never compromise with those who believe in use of gun to get solution to their real or imaginary problems." He said insurgents and terrorists must recognise that gun is no solution to get their demands met.
"Once they lay down arms as Indian citizens we are willing to talk to anybody," he said. PTI
"The growing menace of terrorism and naxalism is a cause of worry. The government will not compromise with terrorism," Singh told reporters here.
"There were some initial setbacks, but we will overcome them. The government will go to any extent to root out terrorism from the country," Singh said referring to the terrorist strikes in Mumbai, Delhi and Assam.
Asked whether the Centre was open to talks with the banned ULFA, Singh said, "all insurgent groups must recognise that their only course open to them is to lay down arms. We will never compromise with those who believe in use of gun to get solution to their real or imaginary problems." He said insurgents and terrorists must recognise that gun is no solution to get their demands met.
"Once they lay down arms as Indian citizens we are willing to talk to anybody," he said. PTI
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