Infiltration, transgressions from across the border should stop: Rajnath Singh

Srinagar: Union Home Minister, Rajnath Singh, who is on a three-day visit of Jammu and Kashmir, primarily to have on-the-spot assessment of security situation along borders with Pakistan and China, said on Monday that India does not have expansionist ambitions but wants to have better ties with its neighbours particularly these two countries. He added that all issues including border disputes and terrorism with them can be resolved through talks.

Meanwhile, a Brigade Commander level flag meeting was held between India and Pakistan armies at Chakan-da-Bagh, the crossing point along the Poonch-Rawlakote corridor along the Line of Control (LoC), on Monday.

“The meeting was held in a cordial atmosphere and issues like ongoing ceasefire violations, targeting of civilians and sniping action on LoC were discussed,” said Indian Army spokesman S.D.Goswami.

He added that at the hour-long meeting both sides have mutually agreed to exercise restrained and take steps to defuse the situation.

Accompanied by Director General (DG) of Border Security Force (BSF) D. K. Pathak and DG Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) Krishna Chaudhary, Mr. Singh soon after his arrival in Jammu visited Samba close to the International Border (called Working Boundary in Pakistan) and mingled with ITBP jawans and officers known as ‘Himveers’.

The ITBP has recently been inducted in the area to strength the security and augment the BSF’s effort to check cross-border infiltration and address the issue of frequent ceasefire violations from across the border.

After inaugurating an ITBP complex he addressed the jawans asserting India "only wants to defend its borders" and “infiltration and transgressions” from across the frontiers should stop. He, however, also said India was ready to take lead to improve ties with neighbours but would not compromise on honour and dignity.

He said, "We want better relationships with China and Pakistan. Peace cannot prevail in Asia and the continent cannot prosper on the path of development" till India's relations with them improve.

Invoking former Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee that ‘you can change friends but not neighbours’, Mr. Singh said India has s always tried to ensure better relations with the neighbours and present incumbent Narendra Modi too has been working in this direction.

He said, “Whether it is a question of border disputes or issues of terrorism, I feel all the issues can be resolved through talks."The Home Minister reiterated that India is a peace loving country and only wants to defend our borders.

“India has never been an expansionist country. Neither we have been expansionist nor will we be in future. Why I am saying this with full determination because India is the only country in the world where saints and sages have not only considered people living within the borders as its citizens, but also the other people living in the world," he asserted adding India wants “heart-to-heart” relations with its neighbours.

"We have given the message to the world about the philosophy of 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam', the whole world is a family due to this we want good relations with all."

Later while talking to reporters, Singh was asked if resumption of two-way talks with Pakistan in the backdrop of border skirmishes and incidence of infiltration was possible. Responding, he said, “I have said that India wants better relations with the neighbours. Better relations can be built. Pakistan should come forward both the sides should come forward. India is ready to take lead.”

He, however, also said that he also wants to reassure the people of the country that there will be no compromise with the security, honour and dignity of the country by the BJP government.

“I want that Pakistan should come forward so that relations between India and Pakistan are better as both are neighbours. But at the same time, we won't compromise on safety, security, honour and dignity of the country," he said.

On the issue of compensation to border firing victims, Singh said that his government has enhanced the ex-gratia relief from Rs one lakh to Rs five lakh. He said that a decision would soon be taken on proposal for construction of bunkers.