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Making a statement in the Lok Sabha against the backdrop of BJP's charge of reversal of India's long-standing position, Singh said "action on terrorism should not be linked to the composite dialogue process and therefore cannot await other developments."
BJP was not satisfied, with Leader of Opposition LK Advani charging that India had "conceded" and "capitulated". He then led a BJP walkout from the House.
Singh, who met Gilani at Sharm-el Sheikh in Egypt on Thursday, said he had conveyed to the Pakistani leader that "sustained, effective and credible action needs to be taken not only to bring the perpetrators of the Mumbai attack to justice but also to shut down the operations of terrorist groups so as to prevent any future attacks."
Underlining that India seeks cooperative relations with Pakistan and "engagement is the only way forward to realise the vision" of a stable and prosperous South Asia, he said India is "willing to go more than half way provided Pakistan creates the conditions for a meaningful dialogue".
He said "Whether, when and in what form we broaden the dialogue with Pakistan will depend on future developments."
"It has been and remains our consistent position that the starting point of any meaningful dialogue with Pakistan is a fulfilment of their commitment, in letter and spirit, not to allow their territory to be used in any manner for terrorist activities against India," Singh insisted.
He pointed out that Gilani and he himself had agreed that the Foreign Secretaries will meet as often as necessary and report to the two Foreign Ministers who will meet on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.
Singh said he had discussed with Gilani the present condition of bilateral ties, the future potential and the steps that are necessary to enable the two countries to realise the potential.
"I conveyed to him (Gilani) the strong sentiments of the people of India over the issue of terrorism, especially the terrorist attacks in Mumbai," the Prime Minister said. He said Gilani had assured him that Pakistan would "do everything in its power" to bring the perpetrators of the Mumbai attacks to justice.
BJP, which raised the issue in both Houses, accused the government of reversing the country's long-standing position that dialogue cannot be pursued if terrorism continues.
After Singh's statement, Advani said de-linking of terrorism from composite dialogue has been the "demand" of Pakistan and that "we have conceded" seven months after the Mumbai attacks.
"What has happened that made you change the stance?... The government has capitulated," he said.
Leader of the House Pranab Mukherjee objected to Advani's queries, saying there is system of seeking clarifications in the Lok Sabha on the Prime Minister's statement.
Unhappy over this, Advani led a walkout of his party members from the House.
The Prime Minister's statement came after BJP slammed the government in both Houses of Parliament over the outcome of the meeting between Singh and Gilani, saying it was a "reversal" of India's long-standing policy that there would be no dialogue till terrorism, emanating from Pakistan, ends.
The mention, in the Indo-Pak joint statement, that "action on terrorism should not be linked to the composite dialogue process and these should not be bracketed" has come as a "surprise and also disappointment", Leader of Opposition Arun Jaitley said in Rajya Sabha while raising the issue.
He wanted to know what "prompted" the change of stance. In the Lok Sabha, Deputy Leader of Opposition Sushma Swaraj raised the matter, terming it as a "serious situation".
Contending that the "nation is concerned since yesterday", she said the government should tell the House as to what happened during Singh's meeting with Gilani in Sharm-el Sheikh in Egypt on the sidelines of the NAM Summit.
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MMs and Sonia are not leaders but cheer leaders so the keep on making foolish statements like a lusty dance to get attention from masses. They fool people during election and as soon as election is ended they start again their corrupt business.
What PM is saying is there will be small talk with Pak like 'How is weather' 'How much is the cost of Mangoes in Pak' 'Are you resorting to power cuts' etc Mostly meaningless talks. Meaningful talks will begin only after Saeed and Lakhvi and co are hanged. Why are you guys so impatient? Just wait and see, MMS and Sonia are serious this time and mean buisiness.
It is shame. For congress Gandhi and Corruption are the first and foremost. Country/terrorism are not even secondary.
Friends, we are also missing out on something. PM has indirectly agreed to look into charges that India is responsible for terror attacks in Baluchistan. This will prove to be a horrible mistake in long term, mark my words. In fact Pakistani and American vultures were looking for such mistake from India's side.This is unfortunate and I would call it a personal failure on PM and foreign minister. But ala, what else we can expect! Congress people want to see themselves as "messiah of peace" in International circles. Jawaharlal Neheru had commited same mistakes, and what followed was our shameful defeat in 1962 by china. GOd save us!!
No parley with Pakistan, fruitful or fruitless, and most probably the latter, will absolve years of Pakistani sponsorship of terrorism that killed Indian civilians and security forces. India caving in to Pakistan or, that matter, to China, due to good neighbourly gesture or due to arm-twisting by America, will be an indictment by Indian citizenry and an insult to those have lost their lives to protect Mother India. Had they changed to symbiosis and to live as good neighbours, losing their lives would not have been in vain. I can wager my bottom dollar that the two rouge nations will never change.
It is surprising how readers of this column expressed their anguish over the way GOI deals with Pak. What is the use ? You voted UPA Govt. after knowing their inaction. There is no point in blaming Govt. Voters made Opposition weak. Mumbaikars and Indians need to be blamed for electing a Non Performing Government. God should save India and not this elected Government.
Manmohan Singh is weak, old, tired and probably sick. He is unfit to the hold office of Prime Minister of India. SM Krishna has also proven to be unfit within the short period he has been the Foreign Minister. They should both resign. Shiv Shanker Menon who is retiring on July 31 should not hold a public office as he bears a lot of responsibility for this blunder.
Glad that there is a good forum for this debate. However, I don't understand why ppl are so critical of the PM. I am sure, no one here understands the nuances of the joint statement of the discussions behind. No prime minister of India (hoping mayawati, never ever becomes one) wud sell out his country. I think he has taken a bold step forward, albeit, by giving some concessions. What else is he supposed to do, just be a mute spectator and let the status-quo previal??? Is that a logical solution to thaw the relations between these two neighbors. I wud challenge anyone here to propose a PRACTICAL (accounting all the international and domestic pressures) solution for this. If not, just let the PM (of any party) do his job and show the way forward.
It is a wise and astute move, albeit appearing to be giving in to Pakistan's demand. I believe, everything including religious fervor ebbs with removal of poverty and hopes of future growth. Today's Sino-US relationship is a good example of how prosperity of ordinary Chinese and benefits of low inflation for the US citizens led to this close and enduring relationship.. Pakistan and India has to come to terms mutually acceptable and make honest efforts driven by the same needs Chinese and US felt in 1972-73 period. Both nations must undertake the comprehensive and committed efforts (Which must automatically include elimination of terrorism). Pakistan's gloating over Mr. Singh's concession as a victory is a sign of immaturity and foolishness. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on the other hand comes out as a wise and pragmatic person behaving like a leader of emerging superpower should. This does not appear to be getting off the hook for Pakistan for the role in the acts of terror in India and other part of the world just because Indian door for the settlement of issue has been opened. Whole world is watching this process. Survival of Pakistan as a viable and responsible democracy will depend on how Pakistan uses this opportunity to enhance its image of a democratic country committed to eradication of its current image of hotbed of the evil of Jihad based terror exported to rest of the world. India on the other hand must enter in the process with the moral strength and demand for timely actions privately placed in front of its meeting agenda. It will be a win -win opportunity to all and especially for the Pakistan's middle class with same aspirations as their Indian cousins. How long will Pakistan live with a begging bowl? She has to stand on her own feet and India can help tremendously. Didn’t Bajpai government walked more than half way to follow this path?
After taking togh position for long time sudden softening without taking Indian Parliament/ Public is condemnable on the part of MMS.
Mr. Ahmed:I chalenge you to point out one orphan or widow created in Pakistan by any agression initiated by India or Indians.You want peace, love for each other etc. Excellent! Perhaps we could start by closing all Madras that preach hatred. How about finishing off the Taliban and Bin Laden. Perhaps you can explain how we should go and hug individuals that are blowing us up in the name of god and want to impose a one world Goverment under Islamic sharia? Be careful writing nice words for non beleivers. If the Taliban find out, they might come after you for trying to make peace with kafirs.
am ashamed by the statements made MMS with paki pm.you cant insult the martyrs of 26/11 worse than this.the eagerness showed by him while recieving the paki shows that he is spine less.MMS need to apologise for his joint statement and should sack the advisors who led to this fiasco.
Guys and gals I dont Understand Why Everyone is So Negative and Cant Think Positive out of it .Its not Only about we Indians but also about Pakistani.Everyone have a Rights to Live and Everone Thinks for Themself and i think nothing Wrong if it is not hurting other.Please Stop Spreding Hate , means for god shake think about our childern let them give a good world .It only Possible through Talking and Communicating with Each Other , not by Stoping the Communication Channel like a Small Child Who Like somthing and if he didnt get it he will stop talking.... this is so childish.Think like Chanikya ..... Need to Play politics with Straight Vision in Mind to Achive....Its a Request Just Come out of Religious Politics and be a Constructive towards making our nation a Strong who can stand with Global World where no Chines can Oppose anything or no USA can ask us to Do anything or where no UK think what we should Do .We should tell them What and How to do things..
India has to take this type of abuse as long as one family keeps ruling this country and people keep on voting them back to power . Look back at the history of this great country and you will realize how much this country and its people have suffered at the hands of this family who shamelessly cheat the innocent people of this country.This family has deposits of billions of dollars in swiss bank accounts while millions of people who they rule go to sleep hungry every night. This family which ruled India for more than 50 years takes the credit for getting an oscar to slumdog millionaire and even endorses it instead of hanging their heads in shame for the poverty that was shown in this country under their rule. Its time that people vote for a party which can provide them security and these hypocrites who do vote bank politics. "GOD BLESS INDIA "
Dear Sir,PAkistan has done nothing to punsih the killers of mumbai terror attacks. They refused to accept the fact that PAk nationals were involved in the first palce. They continue to send terrorits every month to kill our troops in Jammu kashmir. What is the purpose of talks?Do we learn any lesson at all? The hon PM is misleading the nation with double talk. He is not tough, never tough.one fluke victory becuse of split anti congress votes gave him the power. He has no mandate. The country will never forgive him if more attacks happen. I hope they do not happen but I keep my bets on PAk becuse they never disappoint. They will continue their dirty acts for ever!
Can we expect during our life time that this hatred for each other will end and we live together peacefully as neighbours? Can we expect during our life time that the burning issue of Kashmir will be resolved to the satisfaction of both parties? Can we expect during our life time that there will be a stop to the widows and orphans in every nook and corner of both countries because of frequent tussles? Can we expect during our life time that the attention of both is diverted from security concerns to progress and development? Can we expect......
indians can't allow themselves to die a dog's death every day on the road just for the hell of a plesasure for somebody in heaven. suddenly i started recollecting why many of the indian leaders were killed ?are they testing the indians patience. if obama praised manmohan, its but natural foreign policy, certainly obama cant call him fool.dosen't congress know that every life is invaluable and it just can't sit and have a gathering on a stupid cup of a tea when suddenly indians are being killed over a stupid logic. mrs congress, you better deliver as i did vote for you for excellent governance.
Mr.Sarma,Pls dont blame the govt after having voted for them.PPl of India have to live with it for next 10 years..Because in 2014, Rahul will be elected, even if Modi (who proved as an able administrator) fights against him
This country lost precious civilians.There was not a single conviction.Shamelessly MMS shaking hands that killed our citizen.What's going on here
If you are shocked at this, wait till Kashmir is handed to Pak on a platter, India signs CTBT and NPT without fuss, and SBI is donated to a US banking major. This is the reason this regime was imposed on India. In the meantime let us be prepared for more terror attacks and be ready to showcase our resilience and bounce back to normal life by being in denial of terror attacks. That's what a nation of cowards and unrealistic day-dreamers deserve.
Prime Minister has lost his sense. He sees no values in the common man's life. Now, I feel shame to have such a Government at the center.i
On the controversy araised on the joint communiqué of the Grand Meet of Indo-Pak PMs, though the government has been pushed some what on back foot, BJP has gained some “breath” after the disastrous defeat in the general elections. It will now fuel it well to make a come back on to the active politics. Let not BJP win in such games! Singh is King, he will not do wrong.
The recent joint statement is a collosal and comprehensive faliure of Indian foreign policy in all fronts.The confused comments from the PM in the press conference the followed, added to the ambiguity. The key questions that I need to arise are1) Are we talking with Pakistan or not?2) If terror is not a hindrance for talks, then why was the composite dialogue stopped after 26/11 in the very first place?3) Pakistan got to mention Balochistan and India's( indirect) hand in it. But gives no commitment to stop Pak based Kashmiri militants from crossing over to India.How could this was being overlooked by the Indian Government?4) The Pakistani PM Gilani said exactly the same thing as Musharraff. That Pakistan will do everything in its capacity to prevent any attack. How come India became this naive and gullible to accept this farce, despite the repeated attacks on Indians by Pakistani terrorists?
All these things being talked presently after the Grand Meet are unknown to the participants of the meeting? Our PM categorically says that the composite dialogue is conditional to the positive response by Pakistan to the 26/11 terror, that is what he means. Then where went wrong in the joint communiqué of the meet? Or, are we all fighting for the verbatim of the communiqué? Are the participants in the dialogue are unaware of what they talked and agreed, or as the opposition feels and agitate that they are less or not patriotic? This diplomatic and/or political language is not able to be understood by lay man like me. But what ever may be, the general sentiment in our society is that we are too much flexible in our dealings with Pakistan and they are taking the advantage. Now it is high time we as a nation should tell Pakistan, enough is enough, and it must act to improve the relations.
I have given up on Congress, so let them do whatever they want is my stand, because no one can straighten this tedhi poochh. It is our fate that we have such people/party to bear with.
It is all a game. MMS has made us look good in the eyes of the world. As MMS pointed out, how can a meanigfull dialogue take place w/o solving the terrorist problem? We all know about Pakistan promises. They do nothing. We keep the ball rolling w/o any tangible results. Decades pass by. It is all a game. It is sad but it is true.