Daily Times

NEW DELHI: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday called on the Pakistani administration to “walk away from terror” if it wants the two neighbouring countries to have friendly relations.

Modi, who was speaking at the inauguration of the Raisina Dialogue conference, is reported by Indian media to have said that Pakistan must distance itself from “terror activities”.

“Those in our neighbours who support violence, hatred and export terror stand isolated and ignored,” Modi said.

The head of state claimed that he had also invited Pakistan, along with the other members of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) for dialogue at the time of his inauguration as Prime Minister.

“I had also travelled to Lahore but India alone cannot walk the path of peace,” he pointed out.

The PM also downplayed India’s deteriorating relationship with China, as a natural consequence of them being “large neighbouring powers”.

“In the management of our relationship and for peace and progress, we need to show sensitivity and respect for our core concerns,” he added.

Modi also said, “Security of our citizens is of paramount importance (but) self-interest alone is not in our culture or behaviour.”

“A thriving well-integrated neighbourhood is my dream,” he said.