Dialogue with Pakistan only in 'atmosphere of peace', says PM

New Delhi, Aug 15 (UNI) Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today asked Pakistan to take concrete steps to prevent cross-border terrorism saying the stalled dialogue with Islamabad could resume only in an ''atmosphere of peace''.

Public opinion in the country in favour of the peace process would be undermined unless Pakistan stoped terrorists from using its territory for activities against India, Dr Singh said in his Independence Day speech from the ramparts of the Red Fort here.

''We are prepared to work together with all our neighbours to usher in an era of peace and prosperity for our peoples. We have taken several initiatives in this regard, in particular with Pakistan,'' he said.

''To be sucessful, these initiatives need an atmosphere of peace,'' the Prime Minister said.

Dr Singh said all the countries in the sub-continent must recognise that terrorism anywhere was a threat to peace and prosperity everywhere.

''It is obvious that unless Pakistan takes concrete steps to implement the solemn assurances it has given to prevent cross-border terrorism against India from any territory within its control, public opinion in India, which has supported the peace process, will be undermined,'' he said.

Emphasising that there was a large constituency for peace and shared prosperity among the people, he said India was prepared to work with all its neighbours to usher in an era of peace and prosperity for the people of the region.

''India, as the largest country in the region, is ready to give our neighbours a stake in our own prosperity and share the fruits of our growth with them,'' he said.

The dream of a South Asian community where borders did not matter and an unhindered flow of goods and peoples, culture and ideas, would not be realised if terrorist violence continued to cast a shadow, the Prime Minister said in his speech, which dwelt at length about the need to crush terrorism to ensure the safety and security of every citizen.

The foreign secretary-level talks between India and Pakistan to review the peace process have been stalled after the July 11 serial blasts in Mumbai.

UNI FZ PK BST0925