Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Thursday apologized on behalf of the government for its inability to prevent the “dastardly” attacks in Mumbai. Welcoming UN sanctions against key Lashkar operatives Singh urged the international community to match its political will to combat terrorism with sustained action.
Singh heads the Congress-led UPA government, which came in for strong criticism in wake of the Mumbai attacks with the Opposition parties blaming the attack on governmental policy of “soft-pedaling” terror.
Speaking in the Lok Sabha for the first time since the Mumbai attack, premier Singh said it was a “calculated and sinister attack, intended to cause widespread terror and damage to the image of India, destabilise the country’s secular polity, create communal discord and undermine its economic and social progress.”
While emphasizing the need to fight the scourge of terrorism with determination, he underlined the need to rally the international community into dealing sternly with the terror havens located in Pakistan. “The infrastructure of terrorism has to be dismantled permanently.” The action, Singh said, was in the best interests of not only the global community but also the people of Pakistan.
Speaking of his discussions with other heads of State and governments following the Mumbai attack, he said India was widely appreciated for demonstrating restraint by global leaders who called for strong action.
Singh informed that his government conveyed to the international community that assurances were not enough. “The political will of the international community must be translated into concrete and sustained action on the ground.”
Singh welcomed the decision of the United Nations to put sanctions on four individuals of the Lashkar-e Tayeba, which operates under the garb of Jamiat-ud Da’wa. “This is the kind of purposeful action which should be pursued in a sustained manner.” He added that terrorism could no longer be accepted as an instrument of state policy.
Prime Minister informed the House about India’s discussions with Pakistan post-26/11. “We have taken up strongly with the Government of Pakistan the use of their territory for launching an attack of this kind and the need for the strongest possible action against the perpetrators of such ghastly acts. The world community must be convinced that action by Pakistan against the brutal perpetrators of these crimes against humanity will be effective and will be sustained over time.”
About the “reported steps” taken by Pakistan to counter terrorism emanating from its soil, he said “clearly much more needs to be done.”
As for India’s response, Singh pointed out that “we have acted so far with utmost restraint.” But, this commitment to civilised norm should not be misconstrued as India’s weakness, he warned.
Singh heads the Congress-led UPA government, which came in for strong criticism in wake of the Mumbai attacks with the Opposition parties blaming the attack on governmental policy of “soft-pedaling” terror.
Speaking in the Lok Sabha for the first time since the Mumbai attack, premier Singh said it was a “calculated and sinister attack, intended to cause widespread terror and damage to the image of India, destabilise the country’s secular polity, create communal discord and undermine its economic and social progress.”
While emphasizing the need to fight the scourge of terrorism with determination, he underlined the need to rally the international community into dealing sternly with the terror havens located in Pakistan. “The infrastructure of terrorism has to be dismantled permanently.” The action, Singh said, was in the best interests of not only the global community but also the people of Pakistan.
Speaking of his discussions with other heads of State and governments following the Mumbai attack, he said India was widely appreciated for demonstrating restraint by global leaders who called for strong action.
Singh informed that his government conveyed to the international community that assurances were not enough. “The political will of the international community must be translated into concrete and sustained action on the ground.”
Singh welcomed the decision of the United Nations to put sanctions on four individuals of the Lashkar-e Tayeba, which operates under the garb of Jamiat-ud Da’wa. “This is the kind of purposeful action which should be pursued in a sustained manner.” He added that terrorism could no longer be accepted as an instrument of state policy.
Prime Minister informed the House about India’s discussions with Pakistan post-26/11. “We have taken up strongly with the Government of Pakistan the use of their territory for launching an attack of this kind and the need for the strongest possible action against the perpetrators of such ghastly acts. The world community must be convinced that action by Pakistan against the brutal perpetrators of these crimes against humanity will be effective and will be sustained over time.”
About the “reported steps” taken by Pakistan to counter terrorism emanating from its soil, he said “clearly much more needs to be done.”
As for India’s response, Singh pointed out that “we have acted so far with utmost restraint.” But, this commitment to civilised norm should not be misconstrued as India’s weakness, he warned.
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