By NNN-PTI,
Colombo : Warning that terrorism has emerged as the “single biggest threat” to stability, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Saturday asked SAARC countries to jointly battle the “ideologies of hatred” and those seeking to destroy their social fabric.
“Terrorism continues to rear its ugly head in our region. It remains the single biggest threat to our stability,” Singh said while addressing the eight-nation SAARC summit here.
Terrorism was high on the agenda of the two-day summit being attended by Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani and leaders from Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Maldives and Afghanistan apart from India.
“We cannot afford to lose the battle against the ideologies of hatred, fanaticism and against all those who seek to destroy our social fabric,” he said.
The Prime Minister will meet Gilani here to convey India’s concerns over the ISI links in the suicide bomb attack on Indian embassy in Kabul as also the recent ceasefire violations by the Pakistani forces along the LoC in Jammu and Kashmir.
Singh, whose visit to the Sri Lankan capital comes close on the heels of the serial blasts in Ahmedabad and Bangalore and attempts in Surat, said “we must act jointly and with determination to fight this scourge (of terrorism).”
Meanwhile in an interview published in a Sri Lankan newspaper here Saturday, Singh has asked Pakistan to implement in “letter and spirit” its commitments to end terrorist activities from its soil and ensure an “atmosphere free from terrorism” to carry forward the bilateral ties.
“We would like to see the implementation in letter and spirit of commitments made to bring to an end terrorist activities originating in Pakistan,” Singh said.
Noting that his government had made “substantial progress” in relations with Pakistan, Singh said that there exists a large constituency for peace in both our countries, and there is an opportunity to move ahead.
“India seeks to establish peaceful, friendly and cooperative ties with Pakistan. We are committed to addressing all outstanding issues, including the issue of Jammu and Kashmir, through bilateral discussions.
“However, improvement in our relations requires an atmosphere that is free from terrorism,” he said, adding “we have a duty to ensure that our people prosper and progress in a secure environment.
Stating that South-Asia has witnessed the most heinous acts of terrorism in recent times, including the bombing of Indian embassy in Kabul, the Prime Minister said: “the scourge of terrorism must be removed from our midst and criminals and terrorists must never go unpunished.”
“There can be no economic growth or development without peace and security. We need to take all necessary measures to combat terrorism and trans-national crimes like trafficking of women and children,” he told Himal paper.
“Terrorism weakens and undermines efforts towards peace and normalisation, Singh said, adding “It is only through partnerships and cooperation that we can harness our respective strengths.