By IANS,
New Delhi : The Mumbai terror attack was planned to “retard our economic progress”, President Pratibha Patil said Thursday, and asserted that the world was in the know of “terrorism emanating from Pakistan”.
In her last address to parliament before the general elections, Patil said: “The attack in Mumbai was deliberately planned to retard our economic progress. My government is heartened by the international support it has received after these attacks.
“There is greater appreciation in the international community of the threat that exists to the region and the world from the terrorism emanating from Pakistan.
“The terrorist attack in Mumbai as well as the terrorist incidents in Delhi, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Bengaluru and Assam and before that on our embassy in Kabul were an assault on all the values that our country stands for.”
Patil also lamented that terrorism from Pakistan had not only eroded the bilateral dialogue process but caused a grave setback to relations between both countries.
“Our relations with Pakistan have made considerable progress since 2004, but, regrettably, terrorism from Pakistan has eroded the achievements of the bilateral dialogue process and has caused a grave setback to our relations.”
Despite solemn commitments given by Pakistan at the highest level that it would not allow its territory to be used for terrorism in any manner against India, she said, terrorists from Pakistan have continued to attack India.
“We expect Pakistan to honour the commitments made to us, and to take decisive and credible action against all terrorist groups that are based in, and operate from, its territory.”
Patil, at the outset of her nearly hour-long speech, said India had been through an “eventful” year and congratulated the spirit of ordinary people to overcome the challenge from terrorist violence.
“We have been through an eventful year — a year that challenged our open society and our open economy. A year that tested by fire the principles that our country has always lived by — communal amity, tolerance, compassion, justice and peaceful coexistence.
“Looking back, we see hope. We have not only withstood the challenges but also emerged stronger. The spirit of ordinary people rising together as one overcame the challenge to our nation from terrorist violence.”
As a result of the terror strikes including the 26/11 attacks in Mumbai, Patil said the government had strengthened the country’s internal security to protect people from such mindless acts of violence.
“A National Investigation Agency has been established to deal with terrorism. The Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act has been amended to deal with terrorist offences and terrorist organisations. These measures have strengthened the legal and investigative framework to tackle terrorist forces.
“A comprehensive plan has been drawn up to strengthen maritime and coastal security against threats from the sea.”