New Delhi: The celebration of 67th Independence Day of the nation was held at the heavily guarded 17th century fort built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan, which was attended by Congress President Sonia Gandhi, Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar, Union ministers, including Defence Minister A.K. Antony, Leaders of Opposition in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha Sushma Swaraj and Arun Jaitley respectively, and foreign dignitaries.

Manmohan Singh, who hoisted the tricolour from the ramparts of the Red Fort for the 10th time in a row, was received by Defence Minster AK Antony and Minister of State Jitendra Singh and Defence Secretary.

In a strong message to Pakistan, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Thursday said anti-India activities emanating from there will have to stop for relations to improve and asserted that all steps will be taken to prevent dastardly acts like the recent killing of jawans on the LoC.

The Prime Minister said terrorist and naxal violence in the country have reduced but the area of national security calls for constant vigil.

The Prime Minister said there was a need to build an environment of political stability, social cohesion and security for an India that is prosperous and where all its citizens will be equal partners in this, irrespective of their religion, caste, region or language.

Singh expressed anguish over the loss of Navys frontline submarine INS Sindhurakshak in an accident in Mumbai in which 18 soldiers are feared to have lost their lives.