While briefing the Rajya Sabha on his visit to Islamabad to attend the 7th SAARC Home Ministers Meeting on August 4, Singh said, “I can’t comment on PTV blackout, but yes reporters from Doordarshan, ANI, PTI were denied access when I was delivering my speech”.
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“If we are to rid ourselves of terrorism, we will have to genuinely believe that attempts to distinguish between “good” and “bad” terrorists are misleading”, he said, adding no type of terrorism or support to it can be justified on any grounds whatsoever.
“There should be strongest of action not only against terrorists but also against organisations, individuals and nations who support terror”, Singh said. Media outlets were barred from covering it, after he slammed Pakistan’s stance on terrorism in a variety of ways.
Rajnath Singh said, ‘I did not see whether my speech was covered live or not.
“Only this will ensure that the forces engaged in promoting the heinous crime of terrorism against humanity are effectively countered”, Singh said.
Singh’s comments came against the backdrop of Sharif’s praise of Burhan Wani – who was killed in an encounter in J&K on July 8 – and his description of the Hizbul Mujahideen commander as a martyr, much to India’s anger.
“I was told on behalf of Pakistan that they will soon act on ratifying these”. “Pakistan Interior Minister invited everyone for lunch, but then left in his auto”.
Speaking about his address, Singh informed the House, “I urged all SAARC nations to neither glorify terror nor patronise terrorists”. “But after all these, they (Pakistani establishment) don’t consider itself as our neighbours”, Singh said. I also did what was necessary to maintain the prestige of India. “I also left. I have no complaints as I had not gone there to have a lunch”, Rajnath Singh.
Asked if India thinks Home Minister’s visit to Islamabad was successful given the chill in Indo-Pak ties, Swarup said this was a multilateral event during which there are important issues to discuss and deliberate upon including cross border terrorism, drug trafficking and fake currency notes. However, Indian External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Vikas Swarup clarified that it was within the protocol of the SAARC meetings to telecast only the opening program.
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Nisar Ali Khan, on the final day of Saarc conference on Thursday, urged India to halt human rights violation and civilian killings in Kashmir, insisting that fight for freedom can not be termed as terrorism by any means.
