Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday urged Pakistan to move away from terror if it wanted to resume the stalled dialogue process with India. Speaking at the inaugural address of ‘Raisina Dialogue’, the annual gathering of foreign policy and security experts, the PM said those in India’s neighbourhood supporting violence, perpetrate hatred, and export terror stood isolated and ignored. The event was organised by Ministry of External Affairs and Observer Research Foundation.
Talking about China, the PM said having differences with Beijing on certain issues is not unnatural but countries need to show sensitivity and respect for each other’s core concerns and interests. The hint was obviously towards India’s concerns with regard to cross-border terrorism, Nuclear Suppliers Group aspiration, and China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) that passes through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).
“My vision for our neighbourhood puts premium on peaceful and harmonious ties with entire South Asia. That vision had led me to invite leaders of all SAARC nations, including Pakistan, for my swearing in. For this vision, I had also travelled to lahore. But, India alone cannot walk the path of peace. It also has to be Pakistan’s journey to make.
Pakistan must walk away from terror if it wants to walk towards dialogue with India,” Modi said at a gathering that included former Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai, former Prime Minister of Canada Stephen Harper, former PM of Australia Kevin Rudd, Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, United Kingdom Boris Johnson, Foreign Minister of Nepal among others.
Talking about terrorism, the PM said India has increased collaboration on coastal surveillance, white-shipping information and fighting non-traditional threats like piracy, smuggling and organised crime.
“We have also shaped alternative narratives on long standing global challenges. Our strong belief in delinking terrorism from religion, and rejecting artificial distinctions between good and bad terrorism, are now a global talking point. And, those in our neighbourhood who support violence, perpetrate hatred, and export terror stand isolated and ignored,” Modi said.
With regard to India’s engagement with China and its difference over certain issues, Modi said that while he and Chinese President Xi Jinping have agreed to tap the vast area of commercial and business opportunities in the relationship, it is important for both sides to take care of each other’s sensitivities.
“I see the development of India and China as an unprecedented opportunity, for our two countries and for the whole world. At the same time, it is not unnatural for two large neighbouring powers to have some differences. In the management of our relationship, and for peace and progress in the region, both our countries need to show sensitivity and respect for each other’s core concerns and interests,” the PM said.
While saying that the sharpest trajectory of change is happening in Asia, the PM highlighted that rising ambition and festering rivalries are generating visible stress points. “The steady increase in military power, resources and wealth in the Asia-Pacific has raised the stakes for its security. Therefore, the security architecture in the region must be open, transparent, balanced and inclusive. And, promote dialogue and predictable behaviour rooted in international norms and respect for sovereignty,” Modi said while indicating about India concerns, anguish and sensitivities on CPEC that passes through PoK.
Similarly, while talking about regional connectivity, the PM underlined that connectivity in itself cannot override or undermine the sovereignty of other nations. “Only by respecting the sovereignty of countries involved, regional connectivity corridors can fulfil their promise and avoid differences and discord,” the PM added.
This was PM’ first speech of the year on India’s overall foreign policy in which Modi summed up the last two years and gave a roadmap for the future. He mentioned rebuilding connectivity, shaping relationships networked with India’s economic priorities, promoting Indian human resource, building development partnerships, creating Indian narratives on global challenges, helping re-configure and rebuild global institutions and organizations as some priority areas of the Indian Government.
Mentioning India’s engagement with Russia, the United States of America, Japan other major global powers, the PM said the relations with these have gained strong momentum and will only be stronger in future. In this context, the PM mentioned his conversation with US President-elect Donald Trump in which the two have agreed to keep building on the gains in their strategic partnership.
Terming Russia as an “abiding friend”, Modi added President Putin and he have held several discussions on the challenges that the world faces today. “Our trusted and strategic partnership, especially in the field of Defence has deepened. Our investments in new drivers of our relationship, and the emphasis on energy, trade, and S&T linkages are showing successful results,” Modi said about Russia.
With Japan, the PM said, India enjoys a “truly strategic partnership whose contours now stretch to all fields of economic activity.”