New Delhi, Jan 1: Two days after the Indian Army claimed foiling a fresh attempt by Pakistan’s Border Action Team (BAT) to push infiltrators through the LoC (Line of Control) in Kashmir, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said India will make all efforts to keep pressure on Pakistan, but it will be “huge mistake to believe that the country will mend its ways anytime soon.”
In an exclusive interview to ANI, Prime Minister Modi said that whether it is surgical strikes or action at other levels, the Indian government is working out various strategies to keep up the pressure on Pakistan to check militancy.
Prime Minister Modi said that while India favours a dialogue and good friendly relations with Pakistan, it is also wary of the fact that the neighbouring country is “not going to mend it ways of promoting cross border militancy any time soon.”
When asked why cross border attacks have not stopped after the surgical strikes PM Modi replied, “Whatever strategy is to be adopted, how to do, is ongoing at appropriate levels, has been happening. 1965 war, war during partition …Ek ladai se Pakistan sudhar jayega, yeh sochne mein bahut badi galti hogi. Pakistan ko sudharne mein abhi aur samay lagega. (It will be a huge mistake to believe that Pakistan will mend its ways after a war. It will take a lot of time for Pakistan to mend its ways.)
His statement comes two days after the Indian Army claimed to foil a fresh attempt by Pakistan to push infiltrators via its BAT (Border Action Teams) action.
Two infiltrators were killed while forcing others to retreat. The Pakistani Army had provided heavy cover fire, using mortars and rockets, to the intruders who were wearing combat fatigues like that of Pakistani regulars army soldiers and tried to sneak into Naugam sector in Kashmir.
“India, whether under UPA or NDA government, has never opposed dialogue. It is our consistent policy that we are in favour of dialogue. It is the consistent policy of the country, not Modi government or Manmohan Singh government. It is our consistent policy that we are ready to talk on all issues, not this issue or that issue. Because India’s argument is strong. We only say one thing that amid the noise of bombs and guns, the dialogue cannot be heard. Cross-border militancy must end. And we are persistently maintaining pressure on this,” Prime Minister said.
He added that India has created an environment that militancy-supporting Pakistan stands isolated in the world. On a question whether he will go to Pakistan if invited by his Pakistani counterpart Imran Khan for SAARC, Prime Minister said: “We will cross the bridge when we reach there.”
On his government’s foreign policy with regard to China, Prime Minister said India should be judged on the basis of what it did in Doklam. He asserted that nothing has happened with India since then that can be considered as deceit.
“Our principled position has been that we want friendly relations with neighbours,” he added.
During the interview, Prime Minister also responded to the criticism of his much publicised foreign tours being too many and more photo opportunities rather than substantial, saying his travel schedule has been more or less similar to that of his predecessors but his visits are noticed more because he interacts with people, takes decisions and makes India’s voice heard.
“If you count, there are number of multi-lateral forums, Summit level meetings. If the level is lower than Prime Minister, the voice is not heard. Manmohan Singhji also had to do these summits. It has become mandatory. I try that India’s voice reaches the world. Earlier, when PM used to go, nobody used to notice at the place they arrived in, even the place from where they departed no one noticed. My visits are noticed because I interact with people and take decisions,” Prime Minister said. (Agencies)
Pak shares with India list of nuclear installations
Islamabad, Jan 1: Pakistan Tuesday shared with India a list of its nuclear installations and facilities as per the provisions of a bilateral agreement.
The list was handed over in accordance with Article-II of the Agreement on Prohibition of Attacks Against Nuclear Installations and Facilities between Pakistan and India, signed on December 31, 1988, the Foreign Office (FO) said in a statement here.
“The list of nuclear installations and facilities in Pakistan was officially handed over to a representative of the Indian High Commission at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs today (Tuesday), at 1000 hrs (local time),” it said.
Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi handed over the list of Indian Nuclear Installations and Facilities to a representative of the High Commission of Pakistan at 1030 hrs (local time), the FO said.
The agreement, which was signed on December 31, 1988 and entered into force on January 27, 1991, provides, inter alia, that the two countries inform each other of nuclear installations and facilities to be covered under the agreement on the first of January of every calendar year.
“This has been done consecutively since January 1, 1992,” the FO said.
The practice of exchanging lists of nuclear installation has endured despite many low in bilateral ties.
