"The prime minister's speech delivered from the ramparts of historic Red Fort was reasonably motivated with good intentions and great concerns for the economic and social development of the country, " said Renu Mittal, a senior political analyst and journalist.

She said the warning given to Pakistan to dismantle what India regards as terrorist infrastructure was timely and a step in the right direction because of the militancy in Kashmir, the divided Himalayan region both nations claim in its entirety.

In his second Independence Day since coming to power last year, Singh also outlined promises and development programs for the poor to achieve his government's twin goals of rapid economic growth and social justice.

"It is time to build a new India, where there are no barriers between the government and the people," Singh said Monday.

He said his government's vision was not just economic growth but also of a growth that would improve the life of the common man.

India won independence from Britain on Aug. 15,1947, and the prime minister traditionally addresses the nation from the ramparts of the historic Red Fort.

"The National Rural Employment Guarantee Bill, the impending bills to restore forest rights to tribals, the Bharat Nirman (construct India) to build rural infrastructure and proposed measures to benefit workers in the unorganized sector were part of this vision," Singh said.

He said India's future was "extremely bright," adding, "the focus would need to be on economic growth and social justice."

Referring to Pakistan, Singh said half-hearted steps to check terrorist activities won't work. He asked separatist groups to shun violence or face a hard and fitting response from India. Singh said Pakistan would have to dismantle the infrastructure that trains terrorists and sends them across the border.

Both nations claim Kashmir, predominantly Hindu India's only Muslim majority state. The Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir has been the scene of a boldly separatist rebellion since the 1980s that has killed thousands. India accuses Pakistan of training and financing the militants; Islamabad denies the charge.

The leaders of both nations have used their respective independence day celebrations - Pakistan's is Aug. 14 - to trade barbs. The two countries have fought three wars since 1947.

Despite a fledgling peace process between the two nuclear-armed rivals, however, Gen. J.J. Singh, the head of the Indian army, said more than 50 terrorist camps existed in Pakistani soil. Pakistan denied the allegation.

In his speech, Singh also expressed readiness to deepen trade and cultural links with China.

"India is also ready to work with utmost sincerity with people of Sri Lanka, Mauritius, Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives and Myanmar," he said.

The government's left-wing allies praised the speech.

"The efforts of the prime minister to improve relations with neighboring countries are welcomed," said D. Raja, secretary of the Communist Party of India, an outside supporter of Singh's United Progressive Alliance government.

The principal opposition, the Bharatiya Janata Party, criticized the speech, however, calling it "deliberately vague and misleading."

"We expected a lot more especially from Dr. Singh. But his speech was full of pious platitudes without spelling out any concrete plan of action," said Maj. Gen. (retd.) Bhuvan Chandra Khanduri, BJP's chief whip in India's Parliament.

He also said India should send a tougher message to Pakistan on what India calls cross-border terrorism.

All rights reserved. � 2005 United Press International. Sections of the information displayed on this page (dispatches, photographs, logos) are protected by intellectual property rights owned by United Press International.. As a consequence, you may not copy, reproduce, modify, transmit, publish, display or in any way commercially exploit any of the content of this section without the prior written consent of United Press International.

Related Links
SpaceWar
Search SpaceWar
Subscribe To SpaceWar Express

Thanks for being here; We need your help. The SpaceDaily news network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain. With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords. Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year. If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.
SpaceDaily Contributor $5 Billed Once credit card or paypal		SpaceDaily Monthly Supporter $5 Billed Monthly paypal only