Who to talk about terrorism in Pak the govt or other actors, asks Modi
New Delhi: Having taken risky initiatives on terrorism, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said India would have to be "alert and conscious" at all times but wondered with whom in Pakistan lines can be drawn for conducting talks -- with the elected government or "other actors".
He also said India would have to drive home the advantage of the fact that the world was now convinced of its views on terrorism from across the border. India will have to continue putting forth its views on this matter, Modi said.
"With whom in Pakistan do we draw the ‘lakshman rekha’ on talks -- with an elected government or with other actors? India will have to be alert and conscious at all times. There should not be any laxity and negligence," he told a news channel.
Modi was asked what was the 'lakshman rekha' for holding talks with Pakistan. In 2014, the government had said talks should be only between the two countries and not with the Hurriyat. Then came the request to them to act quickly on 26/11 and the Pathankot attacks.
The Prime Minister said he no longer had to convince the world about India's stand on terrorism. He has made consistent efforts with the neighbour given his visit to Lahore or inviting the Pakistan Prime Minister to India, Modi said. "We are not the obstacle to talks," Modi said.
"The world now is praising India's role. Pakistan is finding it difficult to answer. The world is watching. Earlier the world would not buy India's theory on terrorism and sometimes it would even treat terrorism as a law and order problem. Now the whole world is accepting what India says on terrorism. It is accepting the loss caused to India by terrorism, the loss caused to humanity by terrorism. I believe India will have to continue putting forth its view on this matter," the Prime Minister said.
