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Time will tell whether Zardari can fight terror: PM

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Agencies

Posted: Sep 30, 2008 at 1402 hrs IST
India,-pak-med

Paris, September 30: Contending that there is an upsurge of infiltration from Pakistan and increase in ceasefire violations, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has said that only time can tell whether the country's new President has the will to fight terrorism and move in the right direction.

Describing his last week's meeting with Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari as a "good encounter", Singh said, "He (Zardari) had the right words."

The two leaders met for the first time in New York on Thursday last and decided to commence the cross-LoC trade in Jammu and Kashmir. They also vowed to take "severe action" against any elements directing or involved in terrorist acts.

"We (India) have our preoccupations, notably as far as the origin of the attack against our Embassy in Kabul in July is concerned," Singh told French newspaper 'Le Figaro' in an interview.

"Only time will say whether Pakistan is in measure to go in the right direction. There is an upsurge of infiltrations from Pakistan and an increase of the violations of cease-fire. I informed President Zardari about these preoccupations. He answered that he has only become president for the last two weeks," Singh said.

On Afghanistan, he said India welcomes France's growing commitment to the strife-torn country as New Delhi thinks that it needs a lasting international assistance.

Regarding negotiations with the Taliban, we think that it is not possible to make a distinction between "good" and "bad" Talibans, Singh said.

"We are not opposed to efforts in view of a reconciliation and of a dialogue with various political groups, but we cannot extend it to those who aspire to destroy the idea of pluralistic and democratic Afghanistan or who are fundamentally opposed to it," the Prime Minister said.

Noting that he deeply regret the attacks on Christians in several states, Singh said one should not generalise such incidents and draw a conclusion on the fate of minorities in India.

"There had been occasional accidents. Our Constitution guarantees the religious freedom.

"India is a secular country where all citizens have the same rights, whatever their creed is. I have myself condemned what has happened and I intervened in the concerned states," Singh said, when asked what was his answer to those who are worried about the attacks.

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Extremism by sameerv on 01 Dec 2008

Sincerity in the words from our PM and there President is vital. If it is true, they should not allow terrorist to grow further. It is everywhere. People and Business are effected by extremism everywhere.

First you take care of it India by Sri on 30 Sep 2008

I guess the first thing the PM should do is to tackle terror in India. We don't care of Pak controls or not on its turf. That is their problem. He talks big issuing statements like "National Shame" and all. Is he not ashamed when he can't save the lives of people in India?

Manmohan, Sarkozy sign historic nuke by D.N.Barola on 30 Sep 2008

D.N.Barola welcomes the meeting of Prime Minister Man Mohan Singh with Pak President Asaf Ali Zardari in USA. It is also good that they also vowed to take "severe action" against any elements directing or involved in terrorist acts. This can be considered to be a positive sign from the Pakistani side. Terrorist activities are harming the both the Nations and it is not very late that they have come together to stop terrorist activities. If these activities can be curved the development of both countries shall be expedited.

What you have done? by Indi on 30 Sep 2008

But certainly, you wont fight terror, for the fear of losing your votebanks. If not how in the world one can explain a National Government protecting a terrorist who attacked parliament. You lose sleep when terrorists are interrogated. But we have never heard of you losing sleep over delhi, mumbai, ahmedabad, Bangalore, hyderabad. You certainly not making justice to the country Mr.PM which has given you so much.

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