Smart border fence launched

Pakistan has to understand how to behave with neighbours — minister

Launching two smart fencing pilot projects along the international border with Pakistan, Home Minister Rajnath Singh yesterday expressed the hope that there will be a change in the attitude of the new government in Islamabad towards India.

“I don’t think that there will be any change in Pakistan’s nature. I pray to God that there would be change. I hope the change will be better than before,” he told reporters.

He was talking to the media at the BSF headquarters in Paloura after launching two smart border fencing pilot projects under the Comprehensive Integrated Border Management System programme.

“Pakistan has its own nature and we cannot change it. What Pakistan can do [to change its nature], it will have to do itself. Pakistan has to understand how to behave with neighbours,” Singh said.

He said India had made all efforts to maintain relations with Pakistan as a neighbour.

“Our Prime Minister Narendra Modi went to Pakistan, breaking protocol only to maintain better relations. If Pakistan is not trying to understand despite that approach, then what can be done.”

Launching the two pilot CIBMS projects, each covering a 5.5km stretch along the International Border in Jammu, a first-of-a-kind high-tech surveillance system, Singh said the new fencing will be erected in vulnerable areas along the border.