Mobilize all resources to defeat terrorism – Indian Prime Minister at Leadership Summit      
[Friday, October 12, 2007 - 7.00 GMT]  
 
“Let there be no mistake about our resolve to meet the challenge of terrorism head on…. We have to mobilize all our resources and will power for continued defeat of the terrorist machinery,” said Dr. Manmohan Singh, Prime Minister of India, answering a question about the perception that the Indian Government is soft on terrorism. He was answering questions after his inaugural address at the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit that opened at New Delhi today. The Summit will be addressed by President Mahinda Rajapaksa, tomorrow.
  
The Indian Prime Minister said, “We have a difficult situation with regard to terrorism but we shouldn’t despair. We have to mobilize all our resources and will power for continued defeat of the terrorist machinery. There is no lack of firmness of purpose when it comes to dealing with terrorism.” He said that terrorists have the advantage of surprise, of the ability to choose targets, especially soft targets, and not all soft targets could be protected.  “Therefore, we have to think differently of a strategy for dealing with terrorism in the future,” he said.
  
India’s biggest names in politics and international newsmakers came together at New Delhi today for the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit. They include Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Congress Party leader Sonia Gandhi, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Narendra Modi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Mohamed El Baradei, Imran Khan, former Pakistani cricketer and now Chairman of Tehreek-e-Insaf of Pakistan , and Sir Bob Geldof, Singer, Songwriter and Activist for more aid for the developing countries.
  
President Mahinda Rajapaksa is due to address the Leadership Summit as the Keynote Speaker tomorrow (13th). He will speak on the broad theme of the Summit “Imagine the India that can be” with emphasis on “ India in a regional context: A neighbor’s view”.
  
This will be followed by a session on “Western Media & their “Global” stereotypes”, where the participants will include Robert James Thomson, Editor, The Times, London; Marcus Brauchli, Managing Editor, Wall Street Journal and Nick Gowing, Main Presenter BBC World.