Not isolating Pak, efforts on to unite world against terror: Modi

‘Govt, political parties must stay out of judicial crisis’

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today rejected the notion that India was putting "so much hard work" to isolate Pakistan, asserting that his efforts were aimed at uniting the world powers to defeat terrorism as his country has been suffering from the scourge since decades.
He said the suggestion that the country's foreign policy was based on Pakistan was wrong but stressed that the world was uniting against those sympathetic towards terrorists, an apparent reference to the neighbouring country.
"If you think we are doing so much hard work around the world to isolate one nation, then that is wrong. This is not our work. Yes, the world is grappling with the scourge of terrorism and whoever is sympathetic towards terrorists, the world is uniting against them," he said in an TV interview.
India's foreign policy is issue-based and is in the context of its relations with the world, he said.
As far as Pakistan is concerned, he noted that he had always said India and Pakistan have fought a lot and now should come together to fight poverty and diseases.
"I directly talk to the people of Pakistan. I directly tell the people, should we not fight poverty? Should we not fight illiteracy? Should we not fight diseases? If we fight together, we will win faster," he said.
"Humanity is in great danger and to save humanity, it's important for powers that believe in humanitarian values to unite.
"And I believe this fight is about saving humanity and nothing can be a bigger soft power than this," Modi said.
"You have to unite those who believe in humanitarian values, only then can you isolate terrorists and defeat terrorism," he said.
To a question about Kashmir and the appointment of the Centre's representative for a dialogue, the prime minister said dialogue does take place with every Indian citizen and it will continue to take place.
"Constitution of India has given us that responsibility and we do it. There is nothing new, this has been happening, and I have even said all of this from the ramparts of red fort. There is no difficulty in it," Modi said.
"Every Indian citizen has the right to speak to Mr Modi and say 'Mr Modi please stand and talk to us'. We are there for those who believe in the Constitution of India and for those who live and die for the nation," he said.
Asked about those who do not believe in the Constitution, a reference to separatists, he said, "Why will they talk then?"
Modi also said the government and political parties must stay out of the unprecedented judicial crisis, gave enough indications that the upcoming Budget may not be populist and asserted his poll slogan of "Congress-free India" was not aimed at eliminating the party politically.
Asked about the crisis in the Supreme Court after the four seniormost judges came out to openly criticise allocation of sensitive cases by the chief justice, Modi said, "I think I should stay away from this debate. The government must also stay away. The political parties must also keep out of it."
In his first public remarks on the unprecedented crisis that rocked the Supreme Court since the January 12 press conference by the four judges, the prime minister expressed confidence that the judiciary will sit together to find a solution to its problems.
"Our country's judiciary has a very bright past, they are very capable people. They will sit together and find a solution to their problems. I have faith in our justice system, they will definitely figure out a solution," he said.
He also attacked the opposition Congress for its objection to the triple talaq bill in the Rajya Sabha, saying instead of indulging in vote bank politics it must get out of this "regressive mindset".
Modi wondered if politics has fallen so low that it cannot look at the legislation from the point of view of women's empowerment.
Asked if his government will turn populist in its last full-year Budget before the general elections in 2019, Modi said the issue falls under the ambit of the finance minister and he does not want to interfere in it.
"But those who have seen me as the chief minister (of Gujarat) and also as the prime minister (would know) common man does not want all these things. It is a myth," he said.
The common man, he said, expects honest governance. "He doesn't demand sops and freebies. It is our myth."
Modi said his government was taking decisions to fulfill the needs and aspirations of the common man.