New Delhi, Aug 15: Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee today asked Pakistan to give up its "anti-India" attitude and take steps to put an end to cross-border terrorism to improve ties between the two countries. Addressing the nation from the ramparts of Red Fort after unfurling the national tricolour on Independence Day, he said, "We hope Pakistan will give up its anti-India attitude. People of both the countries want to live in peace."
Stressing that India wanted friendship with all its neighbours, the Prime Minister said it wanted all outstanding issues to be resolved peacefully.
India's repeated initiatives to improve relations with Pakistan should not be treated as "a sign of weakness" but a symbol of peace, he said.
Of late there has been some progress in the efforts to improve the ties but cross-border terrorism continued, Vajpayee said.
Vajpayee announced commencement of mobile telephony in the border state of Jammu and Kashmir from next week.
"Mobile telephone services in Jammu and Kashmir will start from next week," Vajpayee said in his Independence Day address from the Red Fort. Bureau Report