Riyadh: India is willing to walk the "extra
mile" to open a new chapter in relations with Pakistan but it
must act decisively against terrorism, Prime Minister Manmohan
Singh asserted Monday.
Addressing the Majlis-al-Shura or the Saudi Consultative
Council here, he said India seeks a cooperative relationship
with Pakistan for permanent peace as both countries are bound
together by a shared future.
"We seek cooperative relations with Pakistan. Our
objective is a permanent peace because we recognise that we
are bound together by a shared future. If there is cooperation
between India and Pakistan, vast opportunities will open up
for trade, travel and development that will create prosperity
in both countries and in South Asia as a whole," Singh said.
But to realise this vision, the Prime Minister asserted,
Pakistan must "act decisively against terrorism".
"If Pakistan cooperates with India, there is no problem
that we cannot solve and we can walk the extra mile to open a
new chapter in relations between our two countries," Singh,
who is on a three-day visit to the oil-rich kingdom, said.
Noting that both India and Saudi Arabia are threatened by
extremism and violence, the Prime Minister said, "History
teaches us that the scourge of terrorism must be confronted
with determination and united effort.
"Nowhere is this challenge greater than in Afghanistan,"
Singh said.
"The people of Afghanistan have suffered for too long.
They deserve an atmosphere of peace and the opportunity to
pursue a life of dignity and hope," the Prime Minister said.
He said the pursuit of terror in the name of religion or
any other cause or grievance cannot be acceptable to civilised
societies. "It has no sanction in any religion."
Singh asked the international community to support all
sections of Afghan society who wish to work towards the
emergence of Afghanistan as a modern, stable and sovereign
nation. "No sanctuary should be given to those who promote
terror, violence or instability in the country."
He said India wishes to live in peace and friendship with
its neighbours and that he believed that all countries of
South Asia should work to realise a common vision of peace and
inclusive development for the region.
Addressing the members of the legislative body that
advises the Saudi King, Singh said Islam is an integral part
of India`s nationhood and ethos and of the rich tapestry of
its culture. "India has made significant contributions to all
aspects of Islamic civilisation. Centres of Islamic learning
in India have made a seminal contribution to Islamic and Arab
studies," he said.
"Our 160 million Muslims are contributing to our nation
building efforts and have excelled in all walks of life. We
are proud of our composite culture...," he said.
Returning to the issue of bilateral ties, he said India
considers Saudi Arabia as a "pillar of stability" in the Gulf
region and expressed confidence that the two countries could
forge a "new partnership".
Describing west Asia as a vital part of India`s extended
neighbourhood, Singh said, "we have a high stake in the peace
and stability of the region" and "neither the countries of the
region nor the world could afford fresh turmoil."
He reaffirmed India`s support for the struggle of
Palestinian people and its backing for the Arab Peace
Initiative to ensure peace and stability in the region.
Referring to his meeting with King Abdullah and other
Saudi leaders yesterday, Singh said these talks have led to
reaffirmation of the close ties and common interests of the
two countries.
"We have agreed to impart a strategic character to our
relations, and have put in place a roadmap for bilateral
economic, political and security-related cooperation that will
constitute the core of our relationship in the coming years."
Singh said the kingdom is home to the largest Indian
community abroad numbering 1.8 million and that Indian workers
and professionals have participated in the "extraordinary
development of this region".
He also expressed gratitude to Saudi Arabia for the warm
welcome it has extended to the community as well as pilgrims
from India who come here every year to perform Haj and Umrah.
"As many as 165,000 Indian pilgrims perform Haj
annually...the second largest group from any single country,"
the Prime Minister noted.
He sought increased exchanges between parliamentarians,
scholars, scientists and students of the two countries and
observed that there is scope for considerable expansion of
interactions in political, defence and security spheres.
Singh also said India and Saudi Arabia should work
together to promote dialogue and peaceful co-existence among
nations, religions and societies.
"We should work together as partners in shaping the
global discourse on issues such as energy security, food
security, climate change and terrorism. We should cooperate to
deal with regional challenges such as maritime security,
piracy, narcotics, human trafficking and other non-traditional
threats to security," he said.
"Together, India and Saudi Arabia can become a potent
moral force for a better world and for a more secure future
for our children," the Prime Minister said.
Welcoming the Prime Minister, Speaker of the Majlis-Al
Shura Abdullah bin Mohammed bin Ibrahim Al-Sheikh paid tribute
to the stand taken by India towards international issues and
thr support it has extended to the Arab Peace Initiative to
reduce tension in West Asia.
"We are confident that India along with the countries of
this continent is keen that harmony and peace prevail in this
important area of the world," he said.
PTI
