Shillong, January 3
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today said that war with Pakistan was not going to solve any problem, but at the same time renewed India’s appeal for handing over the perpetrators of the 26/11 Mumbai attacks in response to the wishes of all civilized nations across the globe.
Speaking to mediapersons after inaugurating the 96th Indian Science Congress here, Dr Singh hoped “better sense prevailed upon Pakistani leadership” to hand over the criminals for being tried in Indian courts.
The Prime Minister said: “It (Pakistan) has to act on the demand of all civilized countries. We hope these criminals are handed over to us at the earliest.”
On the occasion, Manmohan also did not forget to pass on the message to the new government
in Bangladesh. He cautioned Bangladesh about various insurgent groups that had taken refuse on its land and were operating in India’s north east. “I hope the new Bangladesh government, under the leadership of Sheikh Hasina, takes firm steps to weed out insurgents from their soil.”
Dr Singh agreed that slow pace of the fencing along the border with Bangladesh had facilitated not only infiltration from that country, but also cross-border terrorism. He underlined the need to accelerate the fencing work, saying the cabinet committee on security would meet next week to chalk out a strategy for completing the task at earliest.
About the possibility of holding talks with insurgent groups of the region, the Prime Minister said dialogue with any such outfit would only be possible after they lay down arms. “All insurgent groups must recognise that only option they have is to lay down arms. Once that done, the government is ready for talks with anybody,” he said
On global meltdown, the Prime Minister said efforts were being made not to allow the economic recession have adverse impact on the economic growth of the country. “We hope India’s economy continues to grow at 7 per cent.”
