New Delhi must ‘develop ties with neighbours to manage terrorism’

NEW DELHI — India has to develop a “stable and constructive” relationship with its neighbours, especially Pakistan, to manage cross-border terrorism over the long term, said Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.

Calling the Uri army base attack in India — which killed 19 soldiers and was blamed on Pakistan-backed militants — a “tragedy”, Mr Lee said cross-border terrorism is something the Republic is also worried about as a potential threat. 

“You need a tactical response, but at the same time you have to try to develop a relationship which is stable and constructive with your neighbour, and in particular with Pakistan. It is not easy to do, but it is something India has to look at and Pakistan also has to look at,” said Mr Lee, who was asked in an interview with The Hindu newspaper if he supported India’s decision to retaliate with strikes across the border into the part of Kashmir controlled by Pakistan. 

Referring to a plot by a group of terrorists in Batam planning to launch a rocket attack on Marina Bay Sands, Mr Lee said “it is quite possible for an attack to be mounted on Singapore from beyond our shores”. “So we absolutely understand the seriousness with which India takes this problem,” he added.

On the possible impact on businesses from the rising tension between India and Pakistan, Mr Lee said any business that invests in India must understand the geopolitical environment and the possible risks. 

“Things like these happen not once in a very long (time), but every so often. I think they have to take a long perspective. If they get excited every time something happens, I think it is very difficult to sustain your business,” Mr Lee said.