Prez concerns: Rising prices, ties with Pakistan

Relief to the “aam aadmi” from rising food prices and exploring the possibility of “meaningful ties” with Pakistan are the two objectives the government has set itself this year.

Relief to the “aam aadmi” from rising food prices and exploring the possibility of “meaningful ties” with Pakistan are the two objectives the government has set itself this year.

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“India is ready to explore a meaningful relationship with Pakistan if it seriously addresses the threat of terrorism and takes steps to prevent terror acts against India,” President Pratibha Patil said in her address to Parliament on Monday.

The foreign secretaries of the two sides meet on February 25.

Stating that “zero tolerance” to terrorism is India’s principle policy, she said infiltration from across the border in J&K has gone up and the government needs to keep a constant watch on global terror groups.

On price rise, Patil said people were under “unhappy pressure” and the government will give the “highest importance” to providing relief. Speaking of the Centre’s commitment to a law to ensure food security, she said 30 lakh tonnes of wheat and rice would be released in the open market in two months.