New Delhi: India on Wednesday said it wants "good relations" with Pakistan but issued a stern warning to certain groups based there, saying they need to be "taught lesson" and that pain should be inflicted on those who have "inflicted pain on us", citing example of the Myanmar operation.
The government told Lok Sabha that India's wish to have good relations with Pakistan cannot be at the cost of its "pride, dignity and self-respect" and that it will ensure that "our enemies" cannot go scot-free as even small incidents of terrorism have to be "treated as war".
Government also targeted Congress in a veiled manner as it raked up issues related to Ishrat Jahan case and the controversial Technical Services Division (TSD) set up by former Army Chief General VK Singh, alleging politicisation in these.
"We are in the process definitely to ensure that our enemies cannot go scot-free," Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar said, adding "the compromise made earlier was probably one of the reasons as to why we are suffering today."
He noted that there are certain organisations across the border in Pakistan which are making statements and they "should be taught lessons".
"If you inflict pain on India, we will inflict pain on those individuals and organizations who have inflicted pain on us. I think this has to be carried out," he said while responding to a discussion on Pathankot terror attack.
He cited the example of the operation carried out by army against Myanmar-based insurgents after Indian soldiers were killed in an ambush in Manipur.
"When armymen of 6 Dogra were killed in North-East, the Indian government used its forces and ensured that those who inflicted pain were taken to task," the Defence Minister said.
"Today, probably that is one of the reasons why North-East is - of course, the Accord that was signed also played its role - comparatively much more peaceful," he said, but added that "I am not saying that it is entirely peaceful."
In his reply, Home Minister Rajnath Singh said India wants good relations with all neighbours but not at the cost of self-respect.
"We want good relations with all our neighbours. We want good relations with Pakistan too, but not at the cost of this country's pride, dignity and self-respect," he said.
Parrikar and Singh were responding to a debate during which the government came in for a scathing attack over handling of the Pathankot attack, with the opposition dubbing as a "critical mistake" the decision to handover the operation to NSG.
The opposition also questioned as to what Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Lahore stopover had achieved, noting that the terror strike had happened just a few days after that.
Talking about boosting intelligence system, Parrikar said it cannot be done overnight.
Targeting, in a veiled manner, the previous UPA government, the Defence Minister said, "Intelligence, which was developed, whether it is Deep Assets or the attempt of TSD (Technical Services Division) formation by (then Army Chief) Gen V.K. Singh, fell to the political aspirations, to the political policies and political scoring point.
"It is not only Ishrat Jahan. It was a political issue. I think the TSD also became a political issue. A unit set up to eliminate terrorists was brought into open, leaking every information, demoralising the forces."
He went on to add, "I have seen many instances. I do not want to quote more instances. I can quote many instances when military intelligence has been sacrificed at the altar of political goals."
Talking about Pathankot attack, Parrikar said it was "an accumulation of asymmetric war. These are small attacks of weak forces on a stronger force. When the weak forces know themselves that they are not going to succeed in defeating the stronger force... they try to create disturbances and demoralise strong force."
He then added, "I can assure that the gaps have been filled and we have already security audit of all defence establishments."
With regard to the criticism over handling of the Pathankot attack, Parrikar said "Army acted properly" and standard operating procedures were followed. "You cannot have a running commentary about such operations on television channels. This puts security forces in danger," he added.
The Home Minister said while different governments might have different action plans, nobody can say that their strategy is foolproof.
"No one can point finger on any government's intention when it comes to national security... When all political parties contribute only then we can ensure safety and security of nation," Singh said.
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