Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday asked Pakistan to "walk away from terror" if it wants to establish amicable relations with India, The Indian Express reported.

Modi was speaking at the inauguration of the second edition of the Raisina Dialogue, an annual conference held in New Delhi, envisioned to be India's flagship conference on geopolitics and geo-economics.

In his speech, he said if Pakistan wants to build a relationship with India and have a dialogue, it must distance itself from "terror activities".

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

The Indian premier said he extended an invitation to all members of South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), including Pakistan, around the time he assumed office.

"I had also travelled to Lahore but India alone cannot walk the path of peace," the Indian premier added.

Also read: Pakistan will not tolerate India's 'hegemony' in region, says Sartaj Aziz

Emphasising the importance of security in India's "neighbourhood", he 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,” Modi added.

Modi also played down India's deteriorating relationship with China, saying having differences between two "large neighbouring powers" is not "unnatural".

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

Opinion

Editorial

Weathering the storm
Updated 29 Apr, 2024

Weathering the storm

Let 2024 be the year when we all proactively ensure that our communities are safeguarded and that the future is secure against the inevitable next storm.
Afghan repatriation
29 Apr, 2024

Afghan repatriation

COMPARED to the roughshod manner in which the caretaker set-up dealt with the issue, the elected government seems a...
Trying harder
29 Apr, 2024

Trying harder

IT is a relief that Pakistan managed to salvage some pride. Pakistan had taken the lead, then fell behind before...
Return to the helm
Updated 28 Apr, 2024

Return to the helm

With Nawaz Sharif as PML-N president, will we see more grievances being aired?
Unvaxxed & vulnerable
Updated 28 Apr, 2024

Unvaxxed & vulnerable

Even deadly mosquito-borne illnesses like dengue and malaria have vaccines, but they are virtually unheard of in Pakistan.
Gaza’s hell
Updated 28 Apr, 2024

Gaza’s hell

Perhaps Western ‘statesmen’ may moderate their policies if a significant percentage of voters punish them at the ballot box.