Surgical strikes carried message to Pakistan: V.K. Singh
New Delhi: Union Minister of State for External Affairs V.K. Singh said the surgical strikes crossways the Line of Control in 2016 were aimed to convey to Pakistan that India will not countenance terrorism as the new normal in bilateral relations.
“Our own good faith has been amply demonstrated time and again through repeated initiatives to normalise the relationship with Pak. On the other hand, as we have often stated, talks and terror cannot go together.”
The minister said all countries in the region barring one have demonstrated their willingness to stand together against terrorism that could undermine their collective hopes.
Singh said in the last over two years, there has been a sustained demonstration of the neighbourhood first policy and it’s not only restricted to formal diplomatic engagements but demonstrated at times of distress and need.
The former Army chief, however, said India’s priorities in south Asia have not distanced it from its friends and partners in other parts of the world.
Singh further said the steady growth in our ties, overcoming the hesitations of history with the US, has been a matter of satisfaction as much as the consolidation of our traditional partnerships with Russia, France, the United Kingdom and the European Union.
