'India wants to maintain cordial ties with neighbours'

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh today said India wanted to maintain cordial relations with its neighbours, but if someone attempts to encroach upon its borders, a befitting reply would be given.
"We want to maintain cordial relationship with our neighbours, but if anyone tries to encroach upon our borders, a befitting reply would be given," Singh said while addressing an event at Degree college here.
He said "if Pakistan violates the ceasefire then a befitting reply would be given".
The minister said efforts were being made to get the country rid of Maoist and terrorist menace.
Saying that a man is remembered for his deeds and not for words, Singh observed that the objective was of not just developing India into a developed country, but a "Mahan Bharat".

Former President Pratibha Patil, who was the chief guest of the programme, said social evils must be abolished then only India would be ahead in the race of progress.