Ties With Pakistan Can't Improve If Terror Acts Continue : India PM

New Delhi, Aug 17, IRNA -- In a strong message to Pakistan, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Thursday said anti-India activities emanating from there will have to stop for relations to improve. Addressing the nation on the 67th Independence Day from the ramparts of Red Fort, the Prime Minister said terrorist and naxal violence in the country have reduced but the area of national security calls for constant vigil. India, he said, strives for friendship with its neighboring countries. However, for relations with Pakistan to improve it is essential they prevent the use of their territory and territory under their control for any anti-India activity, he said. Referring to the August 6 killing of five Indian soldiers by Pakistan Army in a cross-LoC attack in Poonch sector of Jammu and Kashmir, he termed it as a dastardly act and said we will take all possible steps to prevent such incidents in the future. Earlier, without mentioning Pakistan by name, President Pranab Mukherjee said despite India's consistent efforts to build friendly relations with neighbors, there have been tensions on the border and repeated violations of the ceasefire on the Line of Control, leading to tragic loss of lives. Our commitment to peace is unfailing but even our patience has limits. All steps necessary to ensure internal security and protect the territorial integrity of the nation will be taken, he said addressing the nation on the eve of 67th Independence Day. He applauded the courage and heroism of the security and armed forces who maintain eternal vigilance and paid homage to those who have made the supreme sacrifice of the most precious gift of life in the service of the motherland. Mukherjee said in the recent past there have been grave challenges to the security, internal as well as external. The barbaric face of Maoist violence in Chhattisgarh led to a loss of many innocent lives, he said./end