Terming the behaviour of Pakistan as reprehensive, BJP MP and former Union Home Secretary R K Singh said that what Nawaz Sharif government did was “unprecedented”.
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The current strain in Indo-Pak relations was evident when Singh came face-to-face with his Pakistani counterpart Chaudhary Nisar Ali Khan for the first time yesterday and the two leaders barely shook hands.
The reference was to the ongoing unrest in the Kashmir Valley since July 8 in which over 50 people have been killed in clashes with security forces and thousands injured. The expectations weren’t very high anyway, but what may have fouled the atmosphere further were the differing perceptions on Burhan Wani’s killing in Kashmir. “One country’s terrorist can not be a martyr or freedom fighter for anyone”, Rajnath Singh said.
Asked whether paramilitary forces should be given a free hand to deal with terrorists, the Home Minister Rajnath Singh said that Border Security Force has been asked to maintain patience, but if a bullet is fired, then BSF does not need to seek permission for how they have to respond.
“No type of terrorism or support to it can be justified on any grounds whatsoever”.
The Indian minister didn’t name any country in his speech but his criticism was obviously targeted at the Pakistan government.
“It reflects the country’s determination to fight terrorism”. Leader of Opposition in the House, Ghulam Nabi Azad condemned the approach of Islamabad to the media coverage.
During his terse speech, Singh launched a veiled attack on Pakistan, saying mere condemnation of terrorism and individual acts by terrorists was not enough. “So, let me say categorically that there is no contradiction between what was said by hon’ble Home Minister in Parliament today (Friday) and what the general understanding of Saarc practices is”, he added. “I also left. I have no complaints or grudges as I had not gone there to have lunch”, Mr Singh said in the Rajya Sabha.
After returning to Delhi, Rajnath Singh rushed to meet Modi straight from the airport to “debrief” him about the events during his visit to Pakistan.
Rajnath Singh earlier told parliament that he was not aware if it was a norm or a deliberate attempt by Pakistan not to air his speech live. He said, “It is true that Nisar invited everyone for lunch”.
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Saarc Secretary General Arjun Bahadur Thapa, who belongs to Nepal, said the issues of drugs, terrorism, cyber crime and other global crimes should be addressed immediately. He also appreciated Pakistan’s efforts to host the conference.
