India warns Pakistan over terrorism 61 years after partition

---

NEW DELHI, Aug 15 (AFP): Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh used his Independence Day speech Friday to warn Pakistan to rein in terrorism, as peace talks between the two countries falter 61 years after they were divided.

The annual address marks the end of British rule and partition of the subcontinent into mainly Hindu India and Muslim-majority Pakistan, a split that has caused constant tension in the region.

Singh said a suicide bombing last month against the Indian embassy in Kabul had "cast a shadow over our efforts to normalise ties with Pakistan."

New Delhi has blamed the bombing, which killed scores of people including two Indian diplomats, on Pakistan's intelligence agency, the ISI.

Standing behind bullet-proof glass at New Delhi's ancient Red Fort, Singh said he had personally conveyed his "concern and disappointment to the government of Pakistan."

"If this issue of terrorism is not addressed, all good intentions that we have for our two peoples to live in peace and harmony will be negated," he said.

India and Pakistan restarted peace talks in January 2004 but Indian officials have said the dialogue is under strain after the embassy attack. Pakistan denies it was involved.

India also accuses Pakistan of supporting an Islamic insurgency in the disputed Himalayan region of Kashmir, the trigger for two of the three wars between the nations since they gained independence in 1947.

New Delhi, which suspects Islamabad of links to many of the bomb blasts that regularly strike Indian cities, was on high alert during the day's celebrations.

Police said the tight security was prompted by undefined information about a possible attack.