India needs to be alert all the time in its engagement with Pakistan: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that India needs to be always alert and conscious in its engagements with Pakistan. In an exclusive interview to a private TV channel yesterday, Mr Modi said, there are different types of forces operating in Pakistan but India engages only with a democratically-elected government. The Prime Minister asserted that India's efforts for engagement with Pakistan is on with peace as supreme objective, but the security forces have full freedom to answer back in whatever manner they have to.

Mr Modi said, India always wanted to have friendly ties with her neighbours and the initiatives taken by his government in dealing with Pakistan have strengthened India’s stand internationally. He also said that India would have to drive home the advantage on the fact that the world is now convinced of India’s views on terrorism from across the border, by continuing to put forth its views on this matter.

Answering a range of questions, Mr Modi touched upon issues relating to foreign policy, India’s attempt to enter the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) and his Government’s policies in the last two years. He said, India has been making efforts towards the NSG since the beginning, but it was his government that got India the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) membership.

Asked whether he is disappointed as China blocked India's bid for membership of the NSG and how close it was to getting it, Mr. Modi said things will move forward as per rules. On China scuttling India's NSG bid and its efforts to get Masood Azhar banned by the UN despite his frequent interactions with Chinese President, the Prime Minister said efforts are on to resolve issues with that country through talks. He said China has also been cooperative towards finding solutions. Mr. Modi also said there are some issues in which the two countries differ from each other, but the most important thing is that India is now talking to China eye-to-eye and raising the issues of its interests boldly.

On willful defaulters and economic offenders, Prime Minister warned them saying his



government will set them right with the help of law. Mr. Modi said people of the country have full confidence that only he can bring such cases to a logical conclusion.

The Prime Minister was asked about the cases against the willful defaulters and economic offenders who are evading the law in the country, in an obvious reference to liquor baron Vijay Mallya. Replying to a question on AgustaWestland VVIP chopper scam, Mr Modi said there is no doubt that there are experienced and knowledgeable powers behind it. He said it is clear that such a thing could not have been done without political patronage. He also clarified that the NDA government does not believe in witch hunting and agencies are probing the matter and the outcome of the probe should be awaited.

On disruption in Parliament, the Prime Minister said it would be wrong to blame all opposition parties for logjam. He added that it is only one party, which has ruled this country for 60 years and know the nuances of governing, which is adopting an obstructionist approach. On delay in passage of GST Bill, he said it is affecting the poorer states like UP, Bihar and West Bengal and expressed hope it will soon overcome the hurdle. He said people who sit in the Rajya Sabha, where the Bill is pending, must understand the benefit of the Bill.

On the issue of water crisis confronting the farmers, Mr Modi pitched for water management to alleviate the problems. He said states are also focusing towards water conservation and micro irrigation. He said, the government is implementing Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sichayin Yojana to ensure water to every field and Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana to provide insurance coverage to more crop area to protect farmers from vagaries of monsoon.

Replying to a question on Electoral reforms, Mr. Modi said the reforms are necessary if the country has to get rid of the menace of black money. He said, the he Election Commission should take led in this direction and discuss it with all parties. He also maintained to fight against the black money and taken several measures in this directions.