Asserting that a terrorist in one nation can not be a martyr in another nation, India urged SAARC nations to extradite persons involved in supporting terrorism. “I said that in South Asia if there is one biggest threat to peace and prosperity, it is terrorism”, Singh said, adding that he asked all members (of SAARC) to resolve, that terrorism would be destroyed from its roots.
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“There should be strongest action against terrorism”. We must harden our resolve to eradicate this menace.
In Islamabad, the home minister criticised the Pakistan government for describing slain pro-Pakistan Kashmiri rebel commander Burhan Wani as a “martyr”.
Speaking in Parliament, the Home Minister said, “I conveyed India’s concern on terrorism and asked Pakistan to act against terror outfits operating from its backyard”.
Swarup also contradicted reports of a “blackout” of Rajnath’s speech, saying as per SAARC protocol, the opening statement by the host country is public. Singh had delivered a stern speech asking Pakistan to stop encouraging terror groups and “glorification” of terrorists, while calling for “strongest action” against nations supporting terrorism and their isolation.
It is relevant to mention that the demand to do more against terrorists came just after USA blocked the reimbursement of $300 million Coalition Support Fund payment. “An immediate and effective action is required against all those who support or encourage worldwide terrorism in any way, whether they are state actors or non-state”.
Janata Dal-United leader Sharad Yadav echoed the sentiment and “strongly” condemned “how Pakistan didn’t maintain protocol and treated our home minister”.
The meeting initially deemed a gesture twards reconciliation between the two countries, resulted in tension as Indian Home Minister Rajnath Singh and his Pakistani counterpart Nisar Ali Khan clashed over the ongoing unrest in Kashmir since July 9.
After it announced withholding $300 million military aid to Islamabad, the U.S. has urged Pakistan to target all militant groups and not adopt a “selective approach” to combating terror.
The Minister also said “India is known globally for its ‘meheman nawaazi (hospitality)”.
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Reports had said that members of the Indian media, which went from New Delhi to report the conference, were not allowed to enter the venue and kept at a distance by Pakistani officials, leading to a verbal duel between a senior Indian official and a Pakistani official.
