Singh addresses huge gathering at Red Fort

New Delhi: India's prime minister said on Friday that last month's bombing of its embassy in Kabul had cast a shadow over a peace process with Pakistan.

Addressing a huge gathering at New Delhi's historic Red Fort to mark independence day, Manmohan Singh said Pakistan must clamp down on terrorism.

India has blamed Pakistan's spy agency for the July 7 attack in which two Indian diplomats were among 58 people killed. Pakistan has denied any involvement.

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

Singh also called for peace in Indian Kashmir, where there are clashes over a stalled land deal for a Hindu temple.

India rolled out a security clampdown on Friday following recent bomb attacks in some of its cities and turmoil in Kashmir.

Snipers kept a close watch from high-rise buildings as Singh unfurled the national flag at the Red Fort to a 21-gun salute before addressing the nation.