Urging Islamabad to destroy terror groups operating from its territory, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said today that if Pakistan showed “sincerity and good faith,” India “will not be found wanting in (its) response.”

Inaugurating the Anantnag-Qazigund rail link here, Singh underlined that terrorists “want permanent enmity to prevail between the two countries” but made no reference to the 26/11 attacks or militancy in Kashmir.

He directly addressed the Kashmiri youth and underscored development. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had, minutes earlier, insisted that “the Kashmir problem can only be resolved by politics and not money”. 

Quoting a poet, Singh said: “There are moments in history when wrong decisions are taken...the effects of which are felt for ages.”

He said he was appealing to the Government of Pakistan “that the hand of friendship that we have extended should be carried forward. This is in the interest of people of India and Pakistan.”

In a clear message of reconciliation, he said: “I strongly believe that the majority of people in Pakistan seek good neighbourly and cooperative relations between India and Pakistan. They seek a permanent peace...This is our view as well”.

Referring to his 2004 speech, Singh said he had shown his readiness to discuss all issues with Pakistan. “I did so not because of weakness but from the position of strength and we had the most fruitful and productive discussions ever with Pakistan between 2004 and 2007 when militancy and violence began to decline. Intensive discussions were held on all issues including on a permanent resolution of the issue of Jammu & Kashmir,” he said.

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