In an indirect warning to Pakistan and its armed forces, President Pranab Mukherjee said on Friday that threats like terrorism and infiltration by militant separatists will be dealt with a strong hand by the Government of India.
Addressing the nation on the eve of India's 68th Independence Day, Mukherjee said, "While we offer our hand willingly in friendship, we cannot stay blind to deliberate acts of provocation and a deteriorating security environment. India is a target of vicious terrorist groups operating from across the borders."
"Except the language of violence and the cult of evil, these terrorists have no religion and adhere to no ideology. Our neighbours must ensure that their territory is not used by forces inimical to India. Our policy will remain one of zero tolerance for terrorism. We reject any attempt to use terrorism as an instrument of state policy. Infiltration into our territory and attempts to create mayhem will be dealt with a strong hand," he added.
President Mukherjee was indirectly referring to the recent terrorist strikes in Gurdaspur, Punjab, and in Udhampur, Jammu and Kashmir.
As per reports, the strikes were launched from Pakistan and successfully countered, though there was a loss of lives.
The President's warning comes days before the National Security Advisers of the two countries are to meet in New Delhi for two days of talks to decide on the way forward in dealing with security related issues in South Asia, besides other matters of bilateral and mutual interest.
Paying homage to martyrs who had made the supreme sacrifice of their lives in defending India, Mukherjee said, "I salute the courage and heroism of our security forces who are maintaining an eternal vigil to safeguard the territorial integrity of our country and the safety of our people. I also specially commend the brave civilians who boldly detained a hardened terrorist ignoring the risk to their own lives. I convey my special greetings to members of our armed forces, paramilitary forces and internal security forces."
He also said that India has consistently promoted the idea of having and maintaining good relations with its neighbouring countries, and in the promotion and strengthening of bilateral ties in various spheres of mutual interest.
"Peace, friendship and cooperation bind nations and peoples together. Recognizing the shared destiny of the Indian sub-continent, we must strengthen connectivity, expand institutional capacity and enhance mutual trust to further regional cooperation. As we make progress in advancing our interests globally, India is also engaged in pro-actively promoting goodwill and prosperity in our immediate neighbourhood."
The president made a special mention of the historic signing of the Land Boundary Agreement (LBA) between India and Bangladesh.
"It is heartening that the long pending land boundary issue with Bangladesh has been finally resolved," he said.
It may be recalled that the prime ministers of India and Bangladesh signed the Land Boundary Agreement in 1974 to exchange enclaves and simplify their international border.
A revised version of the agreement was adopted by the two countries on May 7, 2015, when the Parliament of India passed the 100th Amendment to the Indian Constitution.
Under this agreement, which was ratified on June 6, 2015, India received 51 Bangladeshi enclaves (covering 7,110 acres (2,880 hectares) in the Indian mainland, while Bangladesh received 111 Indian enclaves (covering 17,160 acres (6,940 hectares) in the Bangladeshi mainland.
The counter-enclaves, together with Dahagram-Angarpota, will not be exchanged when the Indira-Mujib agreement of 1974 is finally implemented.
The enclave residents are to be allowed to either reside at their present location or move to the country of their choice.
The physical exchange of enclaves will be implemented in phases between July 31, 2015 and June 30, 2016.
The enclaves stand exchanged on the midnight of July 31, 2015 and the transfer of enclave residents is expected to be completed by November 30, 2015.
