NEW DELHI: Premier Manmohan Singh warned Pakistan Thursday against using its soil for "anti-India activity", following a fresh escalation of tensions between the nuclear-armed neighbours over a deadly attack on Indian soldiers.
"India has always strived for friendship with its neighbouring countries," Singh said during his annual address marking India's independence day from the ramparts of the Red Fort in New Delhi.
"However, for relations with Pakistan to improve, it is essential that they prevent the use of their territory and territory under their control for any anti-India activity," Singh said.
Singh's comments came against the backdrop of the killing of five Indian soldiers in Indian occupied Kashmir (IoK) last week that New Delhi blames on the Pakistan army and which has stoked tensions between the neighbours.
The renewed tensions have cast a shadow over hopes of a resumption of stalled peace talks between the nuclear-armed rivals.
Since the killings, regular skirmishes have been taking place between the armies of the two countries along the heavily militarised Line of Control (LoC) dividing the IoK region.
India passed a resolution in parliament Wednesday condemning Pakistan's "unprovoked attack" on its soldiers in IoK last week.
Pakistan has denied involvement of its soldiers in the ambush, the deadliest such incident involving Indian soldiers along the LoC since the two countries agreed to a ceasefire in 2003.
The resolution followed a similar one passed in Pakistan's parliament a day earlier.
"It is unfortunate that Pakistan chose to indulge in such unprovoked attacks at a time when efforts were being made to establish a long-lasting framework of peaceful, friendly and cooperative ties..." the Indian resolution said.
Singh's comments came after India's mainly ceremonial president Pranab Mukherjee told Pakistan that "patience has limits" and all "necessary steps" will be taken to ensure internal security and protect Indian territory.
"Our commitment to peace is unfailing but even our patience has limits," Mukherjee said in a separate speech on the eve of India's 67th independence day.
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