"We meet today in the backdrop of heightened communal tensions in some parts of the country. These are very sad developments," Manmohan Singh said.
"Recent events should make us all reflect on our individual and collective obligations to promote goodwill and amity in our society."
The prime minister said India was characterised by great diversity and it was also a country with a "very proud legacy of tolerance".
"India is a land where diverse religions have flourished together for centuries and have enriched each other," he said.
The prime minister said the central government was making every possible effort to ensure communal harmony.
He said a meeting of the National Integration Council has been convened Sep 23 "to explore ways and means for achieving these ends".
