I have to maintain the dignity of the office of the Prime Minister, said Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on the recent attacks on him.
He added that he could not get into a slanging match with political leaders. "It is better, as I said earlier, I keep silent," the Prime Minister said when asked why he was allowing the BJP to set the political agenda.
The lack of cohesive coordination in domestic politics has been a factor in the country not being able to lay the foundation for 9 per cent growth rate, he said.
There must be a genuine feeling that Pakistan is doing all that it can do to deal with terrorism directed against India from Pakistani soil, he said.
The Prime Minister said the trial of those charged with the heinous crime of the Mumbai massacre was a crucial test for Pakistan.
“There is a lot of interest in Iran to do business with India. Of course, there are difficulties due to imposition of sanctions. Subject to that we will explore ways and means to expand our relations,” Singh said.
He said NAM is not meant to be a slap to any country, when asked if Iran’s hosting of the NAM summit was a slap as was being projected by some.