Manmohan Singh on Friday punctured the separatists’ ‘azadi’ balloon by saying there was no question of “redrawing the borders”. However, “we can make them irrelevant,” Singh said.
SRINAGAR: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Friday punctured the separatists’ ‘azadi’ balloon by saying there was no question of “redrawing the borders”. However, “we can make them irrelevant,” Singh said.
The Prime Minister was speaking after inaugurating the first phase of the Baglihar hydel project over the Chenab.
He envisaged the day when borders became doors of cooperation between the two countries. “Borders can become doors if we shun violence, condemn terrorism and embrace the sprit of a new approach to bilateral relations,” he said.
“Trade, people-to-people contact, cultural exchanges and the desire to move on are altering the landscape of our relationship. I would like the entire J&K to be part of this wider process,” he said.
Singh admitted that there is some resentment among the youth. “The recent incidents in J&K show there is some resentment towards the government among the youth here. It has always been our belief that even the most difficult issues can be resolved through dialogue,” he said.
The government would welcome dialogue with all sections of the people, including those who have so far opted to stay out of the political process, he said. Blaming the Hurriyat for the breakdown of talks, he said they had promised to come up with specific demands. “They have not come with any specific demands as promised. We can’t take the demands made through press seriously,” he said.
Prime minister strongly vied for normalisation of ties with Pakistan and hoped that all issues that cause estrangement, including Jammu and Kashmir could be “resolved through dialogue and peaceful negotiation in an atmosphere free of violence”.
“There are real winds of change in the subcontinent. Economics, technology and travel are altering old mindsets. It is undeniable that much has changed between India and Pakistan. A strong and stable Pakistan is in our interest,” he said.
On terrorism, Singh said it was a biggest threat but maintained there should be no profiling of a particular community. “Terrorists have no religion,” he said.
h_ishfaq@dnaindia.net
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