This statement of BJP is a big lie. Rahul has always spoken the words of unity and oneness, and brotherhood. Its BJP and the groups which is associated with it which is dividing India in the name of religion and regionalism to come to power. It is this feeling of hatred which is causing all trouble and terrorism, the hatred which many have for Pakistan. We need to learn to love our neighbor as ourselves. The spirit of brotherhood should be there with us.

The United States will not abandon the people of Afghanistan—or the region—to the violent extremists who threaten us all.

As we work to advance our shared prosperity, we can partner to address a second priority—our shared security. In Mumbai, I met with the courageous families and survivors of that barbaric attack. And here in this Parliament, which was itself targeted because of the democracy it represents, we honor the memory of all those who have been taken from us, including American citizens on 26/11 and Indian citizens on 9/11.

This is the bond we share. It’s why we insist that nothing ever justifies the slaughter of innocent men, women and children. It’s why we’re working together, more closely than ever, to prevent terrorist attacks and to deepen our cooperation even further. And it’s why, as strong and resilient societies, we refuse to live in fear, we will not sacrifice the values and rule of law that defines us, and we will never waver in the defense of our people.

America’s fight against al Qaeda and its terrorist affiliates is why we persevere in Afghanistan, where major development assistance from India has improved the lives of the Afghan people. We’re making progress in our mission to break the Taliban’s momentum and to train Afghan forces so they can take the lead for their security. And while I have made it clear that American forces will begin the transition to Afghan responsibility next summer, I have also made it clear that America’s commitment to the Afghan people will endure. The United States will not abandon the people of Afghanistan—or the region—to the violent extremists who threaten us all.

Our strategy to disrupt, dismantle and defeat al Qaeda and its affiliates has to succeed on both sides of the border. That is why we have worked with the Pakistani government to address the threat of terrorist networks in the border region. The Pakistani government increasingly recognizes that these networks are not just a threat outside of Pakistan—they are a threat to the Pakistani people, who have suffered greatly at the hands of violent extremists.

And we will continue to insist to Pakistan's leaders that terrorist safe-havens within their borders are unacceptable, and that the terrorists behind the Mumbai attacks be brought to justice. We must also recognize that all of us have and interest in both an Afghanistan and a Pakistan that is stable, prosperous and democratic—and none more so than India.

In pursuit of regional security, we will continue to welcome dialogue between India and Pakistan, even as we recognize that disputes between your two countries can only be resolved by the people of your two countries.

We are ready to talk to representatives of every section who are opposed to terrorism and violence

"We want the talks process to move forward. We are ready to talk to representatives of every section who are opposed to terrorism and violence," Manmohan Singh said while addressing a convocation of an agricultural university here.

Making a fresh offer of talks to those in Jammu and Kashmir who shun violence, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Monday said attempts continued to be made from “across the Line of Control” to cause disturbances in the State.

“Meaningful talks between the two countries, which can lead to a resolution of old issues, are possible only when Pakistan doesn’t let its territory to be used for acts of terror against India,” Dr. Singh said.

Talking in the context of Pakistan, the Prime Minister said, “Today, I would like to say to our neighbours across the Line of Control that they should help in creating an environment in which people from both the sides can live in peace and harmony and work together.”

Referring to his meeting with Pakistan Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani in Thimphu last month, he said “both the countries accepted that there is trust deficit between us” and they agreed that “this distance” must be reduced.

He said Mr. Gilani had assured him that Pakistan will not allow its soil to be used for terrorist activities against India.

 

 

Enemies want us to be divided as Hindus and Muslims

Naxalism is the first enemy of the country.

Describing Naxalism as the country's "first enemy," Union Home Minister P Chidambaram has said the menace would be completely rooted out in another two or three years. 

 "Pakistan is training terrorists and allowing them to infiltrate into India and is trying to drive a wedge between Muslims and Hindus in the country. Whenever we want to talk to Pakistan, we have to talk about terrorism, but that country frowns upon the idea," he said. 

Pakistan is the "centre of terrorism" and all terrorist activities, whether in Afghanistan or US, could be traced to Pakistan, the Home Minister said.

We face in the sub-continent the onset of terrorism aided, inspired and instigated by our neighbour.

Ahead of this three-day official visit to Russia starting Sunday, Singh without naming Pakistan

said that India faced an "onset" of terrorism aided, inspired and instigated by that country.

"We believe that Russia being a great power can influence the conduct of Pakistan. Our hope is that Russia's influence will be utilised to convince Pakistan that the strategy of using terror as an instrument of state policy is counter-productive, " Singh said in an interview to the Russian media on the eve of his visit.

Singh, who will be in Russia on his sixth visit as prime minister since he assumed office in 2004. said, "We face in the sub-continent the onset of terrorism aided, inspired and instigated by our neighbour."
On India's part, Singh said that if Pakistan territory ceases to be used by terrorists India saw immense opportunities for the two countries to work together in cooperation.

"There are immense opportunities of expanding trade, investment and technology flow between our two countries." he said.

The era of violence and terrorism is coming to an end.

 I believe that the IT Sector in JandK can be as developed as in other states of the country. We will fully support the efforts of the State in this area. I am happy that more than 600 youth of the State trained under a Central Government project have been employed in the IT sector recently.
I am happy to announce that the Government of India has decided to set up two Central Universities in JandK, one in Jammu and one in Kashmir. 
Let us build Kashmir into one of the world's top tourist destinations. 

The era of violence and terrorism is coming to an end. The public sentiment is for peace and for a peaceful resolution of all problems. 

I had also said that I was ready to discuss all issues with Pakistan. I did so not because of weakness but from a position of strength. We had the most fruitful and productive discussions ever with the Government of Pakistan during the period 2004-07 when militancy and violence began to decline. Intensive discussions were held on all issues including on a permanent resolution of the issue of Jammu and Kashmir. 

For the first time in 60 years, people were able to travel by road across the LoC. Divided families were re-united at the border. Trade between the two sides of Kashmir began. In fact, our overall trade with Pakistan increased three times during 2004-07. The number of visas that we issued to Pakistanis doubled during the same period. An additional rail link was re-established.

These are not small achievements given the history of our troubled relationship with Pakistan. Inside the valley, as militancy declined, trade, business and tourism began to pick up. We were moving in the right direction. For the first time there was a feeling among the people that a durable and final peace was around the corner.

However, all the progress that we achieved has been repeatedly thwarted by acts of terrorism. The terrorists want permanent enmity to prevail between the two countries. The terrorists have misused the name of a peaceful and benevolent religion. Their philosophy of hate has no place here. It is totally contrary to our centuries old tradition of tolerance and harmony among faiths. 

I strongly believe that the majority of people in Pakistan seek good neighbourly and cooperative relations between India and Pakistan. They seek a permanent peace. This is our view as well. 

We will press the government of Pakistan to curb the activities of those elements that are engaging in terrorism in India. If they are non-state actors, it is the solemn duty of the government of Pakistan to bring them to book, to destroy their camps and to eliminate their infrastructure. The perpetrators of the acts of terror must pay the heaviest penalty for their barbaric crimes against humanity. 

It is a misplaced idea that one can reach a compromise with the ideology of the terrorists or that they can be used for one's own political purpose. Eventually they turn against you and bring only death and destruction. The real face of the terrorists is clear for the people of Pakistan to see with their own eyes.

Pakistani groups planning fresh attacks: Manmohan

The area of operation of these terrorists today extends far beyond the confines of Jammu and Kashmir and covers all parts of our country.

Dr. Singh told the Chief Ministers that in dealing with the terrorist challenge, “we need to be prepared for encountering more sophisticated technologies and enhanced capabilities.” He emphasised the need for guarding the sea frontier as vigilantly as the land border.

The infiltrators appeared “more battle-hardened, better equipped, and in possession of sophisticated communications.

Dwelling on the situation in Jammu and Kashmir, the Prime Minister said there were signs of a revival of over-ground militant activities. Referring to incidents in Shopian, Sopore and Baramulla, he said such isolated incidents were sought to be linked to create an impression of a groundswell of anti-national feeling. “All this shows that efforts to disturb the current status quo have not been given up. Fortunately, the annual Amarnath Yatra passed off without incident.”

Expressing concern over the growing intensity of Left wing extremism, he admitted that the problem was indeed a complex one. “There is a need for a balanced and nuanced strategy to deal with it. On the one hand, the State should discharge its responsibilities and obligations and re-establish the rule of law in areas dominated by the naxalites. At the same time, we should work towards removing the causes which lead to alienation of people and problems like naxalism.”

Self-help is the best help

This is the first time that Pakistan has ever formally briefed us on the results of an investigation into a terrorist attack in India. It has never happened before and I repeat this is the first time. It is also the first time that they have admitted that their nationals and a terrorist organisation based in Pakistan carried out a ghastly terrorist act in India.

The reality is that this is far more than the NDA Government was ever able to extract from Pakistan during its entire tenure despite all their tall talk. They were never able to get Pakistan to admit what they have admitted now. So the UPA government needs no lessons from the opposition on how to conduct foreign affairs or secure our nation against terrorist threats.

I say with strength and conviction that dialogue and engagement is the best way forward.

I told them that the operations of all terrorist groups that threaten India must end permanently. I urged them to make no distinctions between different terrorist organizations. I said that it was not enough to say that Pakistan is itself a victim of terrorism. They must show the same political will and take the same strong and sustained action against terrorist groups operating on their eastern border as they now seem to be taking against groups on their western border.

I told them that another attack of this kind will put an intolerable strain on our relationship and that they must take all possible measures to prevent a recurrence.

I believe that it is as much in Pakistan’s vital interest as it is in ours to make peace. Pakistan must defeat terrorism, before being consumed by it. I believe the current leadership there understands the need for action.


We know this, but in the past there have been hurdles in a consistent pursuit of this path. As a result, the enemies of peace have flourished. They want to make our alienation permanent, the distance between our two countries an unbridgeable divide. In the interests of our people, and in the interest of peace and prosperity of South Asia, we must not let this happen.

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.

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.

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.