Prime minister Manmohan Singh fielded a host of questions from reporters on the sidelines of the Asean meet at Hua Hin on Sunday. As questions came thick and fast on a range of issues, the PM deftly side-stepped the uncomfortable ones, while taking head-on the others.
Kashmir
“It is our sincere desire to engage all sections of political opinion in Jammu & Kashmir to find practical, pragmatic solutions to the problems. I recognise there are some groups that are outside the mainstream. We would like to engage them in a constructive dialogue… Hurriyat leaders promised to come back with specific suggestions. I am still waiting.”
Maoists
“State and central governments have an obligation to control the problem… The law and order mechanism has to be strengthened. It is necessary to tackle economic issues that create alienation among deprived communities.”
Stimulus package
“There was a general agreement (among all Asean leaders) that the stimulus packages should not be withdrawn or phased out prematurely.There has to be a balance between the adoption of the stimulus packages and their modifications or removal.”
Minister A Raja
“It’s not proper for me to join issue with a cabinet colleague in public… It would be inappropriate to discuss cabinet changes or reshuffle in public, more so while on foreign soil.”
Commonwealth Games
“I am sure whatever mechanism we have put in place now will ensure that the games are conducted in a proper manner… Spectators are going to see spectacular games.”
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