Chennai, Jan 08: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Thursday
said forces of extremism and terrorism will not be allowed to
destablise India and declared that the country will work with
the international community to ensure there is no safe haven
or launching pads for terrorists.
"We will not allow forces of extremism and terrorism to
destablise our polity and society. We have taken several
measures to strengthen our national security and promote
national cohesion.
"We will continue to work with the international
community to see that there is no safe haven or launching pads
for terrorists," he said inaugurating the two-day Pravasi
Bharatiya Divas here.
The Prime Minister's remarks assume significance
against the backdrop of his statement on Tuesday that
Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba was behind the Mumbai terror
attacks and given their sophistication and military precision,
they must have had the support of some official agency of that
country.
Singh also deprecated the forces which seek to divide
the people on the basis of religion and such other ideas
saying they betrayed the idea of India.
The PM also launched the Global Indian Knowledge Network to facilitate the transfer of knowledge within the country and outside.
The network will also act as a think tank and would advise the government on important social development sectors like education and healthcare.
Singh said despite the difficult global economic
situation, the fundamentals of the Indian economy were very
strong and that it was expected to grow at 7 per cent in the
current year.
He said India was actively working with other
countries in the evolution of a new economic architecture
which, he maintained, should be reflective of the changes that
have place over the years.
The Prime Minister said India should have the right to
get its due place in the evolving global economy.
"We need to ensure that any new architecture that
emerges is suited to the new challenges and vulnerabilities
facing the world economy and reflective of the changes that
have taken place in the economic structure. Countries like
India should be given their due place in the scheme of
things," he said.
Singh announced that that doctors, dentists,
pharmacists, engineers, architects and chartered accountants,
possessing the overseas citizenship cards issued by India,
would be allowed to practice in the country.
Praising the achievements of the people of Indian
origin around the world, he said they knew the meaning of
tolerance and the art of living together regardless of caste,
creed, religion or language.
"Pluralism and willingness to live with each other
despite our differences is a deeply embedded trait of our
culture. That is why I have often said that those who pursue
the politics of exclusion, of monotheism, who divided people
between us and them, betray the very idea of India. Our
civilization was built on reason, on the willingness to engage
in dialogue," he said.
He added that the government has put in place several measures for better protection and welfare of Indian workers, including entering into inter governmental agreements.
He said the government has launched a comprehensive e-governance project on migration. Under this, every worker will be issued a smart card containing all details of the worker, work contract, employer, insurance and other details.
This data will also be available to the Indian government as well as our missions overseas.
"The objective of this project will be to transform emigration process into a simple, transparent, orderly and humane process," he remarked.
Referring to the success of India's moon mission Chandrayaan I, the prime minister assured that an Indian - desi or pravasi - would land on the moon to fulfil the ancient dream of meeting Chandamama!
PM condemns Gaza bombings
Expressing concern at the rise in tension in the Gaza region and the loss of innocent human lives there, Manmohan Singh said: "India has strongly condemned these incidents and it is our hope that the international community would get together and help restore peace in the region as soon as possible."
Bureau Report