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

Business concerns
Updated 26 Apr, 2024

Business concerns

There is no doubt that these issues are impeding a positive business clime, which is required to boost private investment and economic growth.
Musical chairs
26 Apr, 2024

Musical chairs

THE petitioners are quite helpless. Yet again, they are being expected to wait while the bench supposed to hear...
Global arms race
26 Apr, 2024

Global arms race

THE figure is staggering. According to the annual report of Sweden-based think tank Stockholm International Peace...
Digital growth
Updated 25 Apr, 2024

Digital growth

Democratising digital development will catalyse a rapid, if not immediate, improvement in human development indicators for the underserved segments of the Pakistani citizenry.
Nikah rights
25 Apr, 2024

Nikah rights

THE Supreme Court recently delivered a judgement championing the rights of women within a marriage. The ruling...
Campus crackdowns
25 Apr, 2024

Campus crackdowns

WHILE most Western governments have either been gladly facilitating Israel’s genocidal war in Gaza, or meekly...