On the question of skipping lunch hosted by the Interior Minister of Pakistan he said: “We were invited by the Interior Minister for lunch after the meeting was over”.
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Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday gave clear indications of the fact that he was not treated well in Pakistan but clarified that he was not there for a lunch.
Rajnath Singh, in his address at the Saarc meeting, said that there is “no good or bad terrorism” and urged that “terrorists should not be glorified or patronised”.
However, the Pakistan Interior Minister left the venue immediately after the meeting got over despite being the host of the lunch.After this Mr Singh did not join in for the lunch.
“Using torture against innocent children and violence against civilians qualifies as terrorism”, said Nisar Ali Khan, adding that there was a need to end an “extremist” mindset and to try instead to solve regional issues with dialogue. But then he left in his vehicle.
The home minister also said there should be “strongest action” not only against terrorists or organisations but also against those individuals, organisations and nations who support terrorism.
Home Minister Singh said that Since I was giving speech, I did not know whether it was live telecast or not.
The Home Minister called for implementation of SAARC Regional Convention on Suppression of Terrorism and its Additional Protocol, saying that it was “crucial” in common fight against terrorism.
“This movement is running into the bloods of third generation of Kashmiri people and the world has itself seen its intensity in the wake of July 8”, Sharif said, referring to the killing of Hizbul commander Burhan Wani in Kashmir.
Singh thanked the House for its united stand against terrorism. “One country’s terrorist can not be a martyr or freedom fighter for anyone”, Singh said. I did not register any protest there.
Rajnath Singh’s visit to Islamabad was the first by an Indian minister to Pakistan after the January 2 attack on an Indian Air Force base at Pathankot, which India has blamed on Pakistani terrorists.
He also urged Pakistan and other Saarc nations to ratify conventions against crimes and terrorism. “We have always tried to work out our ties with them”, Rajnath Singh said.
“I was told on behalf of Pakistan that they will soon act on ratifying these. I said there is a need to strongest action not just against the terrorists but also those who support terrorism”.
Recalling former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s statement that one can change friends but not neighbours, Singh said Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his predecessor Manmohan Singh have expressed sympathy with Pakistan as it too has been a “victim of terror”.
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As Singh arrived at the venue of the conference at the posh Serena Hotel in Islamabad, Khan was at the gate to receive the dignitaries.
