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Manmohan Singh tells Arab journalists: Terrorism single biggest threat | Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Saturday said that terrorism remains the single biggest threat to peace
and stressed the need for global efforts to defend the values of pluralism and peaceful co-existence. In a special interaction with Arab journalists prior to
leaving New Delhi for a three day visit to Saudi Arabia, Singh said: "Terrorism
remains the single biggest threat to peace, stability and to our progress. Global
efforts are needed to defend the values of pluralism, peaceful co-existence and
the rule of law." "All the member countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)
share India's concerns relating to extremism and terrorism. We reject the idea
that any religion or cause can be used to justify violence against innocent people,"
he added. Commenting on normalising relations with Pakistan, Manmohan Singh said
there is no change in India's position. "We seek a peaceful and normal relationship
with Pakistan. We should be good neighbours. In that quest we have consistently
sought to engage those in Pakistan who are ready to work with us. There is no
alternative to dialogue to resolve the issues that divide us. Today the primary
issue is terrorism," he said. "As a neighbour, we cannot remain immune to the
rise of extremism and terrorism in Pakistan, or on the border of Pakistan and
Afghanistan," Singh added. He further said that extremism and terrorism are major
threats not only to India, but also to Pakistan, and all its other neighbours.
"It is in our collective interest that we resolutely oppose, resist and overcome
terrorism and all those who nurture, sustain and give sanctuary to terrorists
and extremist elements," Singh said. It is a fact that Jammu and Kashmir and its
people have suffered repeatedly at the hands of terrorism from across the border.
This has militated against the will of the people of the State, who have time
and again voted in large numbers in democratic elections to unambiguously reject
violence. "We have taken several measures for the development of Jammu and
Kashmir,
and for its people to live in peace and harmony, as in the rest of the country.
In so far as our dialogue with Pakistan is concerned, we are ready to discuss
all issues with them in an atmosphere free from terrorism," Singh said. Singh
further said that India has institutionalised its cooperation with the Gulf countries
by putting in place various security cooperation agreements, including extradition
treaties. Commenting on growing Indo-Israel military relation Singh said Arab
concern about growing Indo-Israeli defense cooperation is "misplaced." "Our
relationship
with no single country is at the expense of our relations with any other country,"
he said. As to India's support for Palestine, it was "an article of faith for
us," he added. "Our solidarity with the people of Palestine predates our
independence,"
Singh said. "India supports a peaceful solution that would result in a sovereign,
independent, viable and united state of Palestine living within secure and recognized
borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital, side by side at peace with Israel,"
he added. |
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