India has a difficult neighbourhood: Modi

Kochi Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said India has a difficult neighbourhood and that several countries have reached out to India to deal with the rising threat of terror and radicalisation across regions including the Islamic worldAddressing top commanders of the countrys three armed forces at the Combined Commanders Conference onboard INS Vikramaditya the prime minister said India is seen as a new bright spot of world economy and also as an anchor for regional and global peace security and stabilityModi emphasised on Indias attempt to establish good relations with its neighbours including PaksitanAnd as the world seeks to deal with the rising threat of terrorism and radicalism countries across all regions including in the Islamic world have reached out to seek cooperation with India Modi saidAbove all it is our neighbourhood that is most critical for our future and for our place in the world But ours is a difficult neighbourhood with the full spectrum of security challenges he said at the conference attended by the three service chiefs the defence secretary and Defence Minister Manohar ParrikarModi also expressed concern over the instability in West AsiaWe see terrorism and ceasefire violations reckless nuclear build up and threats border transgressions and continuing military modernisation and expansionThe shadow of West Asian instability is becoming longer he saidThe prime minister said our region is marked by uncertain political transitions weak institutions and internal conflicts and major powers have increased their engagement in Indias land and maritime neighbourhoodOn Pakistan Modi said India was trying to turn the course of history and bring an end to terrorismWe are engaging Pakistan to try and turn the course of history bring an end to terrorism build peaceful relations advance cooperation and promote stability and prosperity in our regionThere are many challenges and barriers on the path But the effort is worth it because the peace dividends are huge and the future of our children is at stake the prime minister saidSo we will test their intentions to define the path ahead For this we have started a new NSAlevel dialogue to bring security experts face to face with each other But we will never drop our guard on security and we will continue to judge progress on their commitments on terrorism he saidModi also mentioned China and said India was pursuing closer relations to harness the full potential of economic partnershipWe will aim to address outstanding issues maintain stability on the border and develop greater mutual understanding and trust in our overlapping neighbourhoodI believe that India and China can engage constructively across the complexity of their relationship as two selfassured and confident nations aware of their interests and responsibilities he saidFrom Maldives and Sri Lanka in the seas to Nepal and Bhutan in the mountains we are working to safeguard our interests and our relationships Modi saidThe land boundary agreement with Bangladesh has strengthened relations and India was also committed to peace in Afghanistan he addedThis was the first time the Combined Commanders Conference was held onboard an aircraft carrierModi inspected a Triservices Guard of Honour in the morning at INS Garuda in Kochi before arriving onboard INS Vikramaditya where he was received by the three service chiefs