Can't have peace talks under shower of bullets: President Mukherjee

Asserting that terrorism was a 'cancer' threatening to destabilise the delicate balance between nations, President Pranab Mukherjee on Monday said a civilized way must always be opted to bridge disagreements but added that peace talks could not continue under a 'shower of bullets'.

"Nations will never agree on everything but the challenge today is existential. Terrorists seek to undermine order by rejecting the very basis of strategic stability, which are recognized borders. If outlaws are able to unravel borders, then we are heading towards an age of chaos. There is a civilized way to bridge disagreement; dialogue, ideally, should be a continual engagement. But we cannot discuss peace under a shower of bullets," the President said in his message on the eve of Republic Day.

Branding terrorism as a 'cancer' that needs to be operated out with a firm scalpel, he said that there is no good or bad terrorism but simply pure evil.

"Terrorism is inspired by insane objectives, motivated by bottomless depths of hatred, instigated by puppeteers who have invested heavily in havoc through the mass murder of innocents," he said.

The President also highlighted that peace is the primary objective of a rational consciousness and that it is the foundation of civilization and a necessity for economic progress but peace remained elusive and it had become difficult to attain it than degenerate conflict

"There is unprecedented turbulence across vast regions, with alarming increase in regional instabilities. The scourge of terrorism has reshaped war into its most barbaric manifestation. No corner can now consider itself safe from this savage monster. Terrorism is inspired by insane objectives, motivated by bottomless depths of hatred, instigated by puppeteers who have invested heavily in havoc through the mass murder of innocents," he added.

Calling on the nation to live up to the 'historic opportunity' to become a beacon to the world at a time of great danger, the President said that attempts must be made to resolve emotional and geo-political inheritance with neighbouring nations through a peaceful dialogue.

"We must invest in mutual prosperity by recognizing that human beings are best defined by a humane spirit, and not their worst instincts. Our example can be its own message to a world in anxious need of amity," he said.

The President also reminded the citizens on the institutions of

democracy and said that 'we must guard ourselves against the forces of violence, intolerance and unreason'.