PM Modi sets the terms for dialogues to resume with Pakistan.
PM Modi highlighted some of salient points regarding India's relationship with major world powers while speaking at inauguration of Second Raisina Dialogue. He indirectly took a jibe at Pakistan by saying those in our neighbours who support violence, hatred and export terror stand isolated and ignored.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday inaugurated the second edition of the Raisina Dialogue, India's flagship geo-political conference organised annually by the Observer Research Foundation(ORF) in association with the Ministry of External Affairs. The theme of the three-day dialogue this year is, "The New Normal: Multilateralism with Multi Polarity."
Modi said that India is keen on achieving a thriving well integrated neighbourhood. Referring to his surprise Lahore visit, Modi said that India alone can't walk the path of peace. PM said that Pakistan has to walk the talk on terror if it wants to have dialogue. Earlier PM blamed non-state actors as significant challenges faced by India. PM said, " We need to guard against any inclination that promotes exclusion, specially in Asia. The multi-polarity of the world, and an increasingly multi-polar Asia, is a dominant fact today. Security of our citizens is of paramount importance.Self interest alone is not in our culture or behaviour."
PM Modi said that his vision for India's neighbourhood led him to invite all the SAARC countries for the swearing-in ceremony in 2014.
Regarding relationship with China, Modi was pragmatic and said that it is not unnatural for two neighbouring countries to have some differences. China has scuttled India's move to become member of NAG and has even blocked Masood Azhar from being blacklisted by UN. Regarding China, PM said, " In the management of our relationship and for peace and progress, we need to show sensitivity and respect for our core concerns".
PM said, "Our strong belief in de-linking terrorism from religion & rejecting artificial distinction b/w good,bad terror are a global talking point".
He also indicated that US President Elect Trump has agreed to keep building on gains achieved in Indo- US relationship. PM Modi referred to Russia as an old friend and said he has long conversations with President Putin.
More than 250 participants from 65 countries are taking part in this year's three-day Dialogue. The first edition was attended by 120 participants from 40 countries. The dialogue commenced with inaugural panel with Minister of State for External Affairs M.J. Akbar, Foreign Minister of Nepal Prakash Sharan Mahat, former president of Afghanistan Hamid Karzai, former prime minister of Australia Kevin Rudd, International Affairs Advisor to Prime Minister of Bangladesh Gowher Rizvi.
Foreign Secretary S. Jaishankar will deliver the keynote address on Wednesday. Union Ministers Ravi Shankar Prasad, Piyush Goyal, Smriti Irani and General (rtd) V.K. Singh will address the Dialogue besides ministers and officials from other countries.
With agency inputs
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