Published: 13 Feb 2013 - 04:49 am | Last Updated: 04 Feb 2022 - 05:05 pm
New Delhi: Signalling no thaw in relations with Pakistan, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh yesterday said India wants peace with neighbours but incidents like the brutal killing of two soldiers on the LoC were simply unacceptable and the country would effectively deal with any threat.
Speaking at the governors’ conference here, the prime minister dwelled on an array of issues and said that the past year had seen improvement in the internal security situation including that in Jammu and Kashmir, the northeast and in the Maoist-affected areas.
He said India was committed to working for good relations and peaceful existence with its neighbours but “are also firm in our resolve to deal effectively with any threat to our country”.
“Incidents like the one that took place on the LoC last month are against the norms of civilised international behaviour and are simply unacceptable to us,” he said.
India had strongly protested the January 8 killing and mutilation of two Indian soldiers near the Line of Control (LoC). Following the incident, India had said there cannot be business as usual with Pakistan.
Referring to the December 16 gang-rape that evoked nationwide outrage, the prime minister said real and effective change in the status of women can come only if there is a change in societal values. Urging collective work for the goal, he suggested induction of more women in police forces.
He said the government was alive to the need to curb corruption in public life and hoped the parliament will pass the Lokpal bill in the coming days. The government was considering amending the anti-corruption Act, he added.
