Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had described Wani as a “martyr” who died fighting for the “freedom” of Jammu and Kashmir. But right after extending the invitation, the Minister sat in his auto and left. I hold no grudges as I wasn’t there to have lunch, Singh said.
Advertisement
This agenda is adopted at the 7th SAARC Interior Ministers meeting, which concluded in Islamabad today.
Media reports said the two ministers barely shook hands as Khan greeted the Saarc home ministers at the luxurious Serena Hotel in Islamabad.
“I am not aware of protocol norms followed during (the) previous (Saarc) events”. 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.
The minister, however, said he won’t comment on whether the Pakistan government and ministers behaved “well with me, (but) I did what I had to do to uphold the dignity of our country”.
Opposition parties backed the home minister and deplored Islamabad’s conduct. The Home Minister said all member states who have not ratified SAARC convention on Mutual Assistance on Criminal Matters, need to ratify the same.
Janata Dal (United) leader Sharad Yadav echoed similar views over India’s strong stand against terrorism.
The US and India on Friday teamed up against Pakistan, with the former acknowledging its efforts in the war against terror but blaming it for “adopting a selective approach” and the latter terming it “the biggest violator of human rights”. The Pak premier had not only praised Wani, but also said that “Kashmir will one day become Pakistan”.
The home minister said that in Pakistan he sought the “strongest” action against countries that back terrorism and pilloried those who eulogise terrorists.
He informed the house that the Indian media was not allowed inside.
However, Singh’s speech during the meet was blacked out.
He told the SAARC meeting that terrorists should not be glorified and patronised.
Union home minister Rajnath Singh on August 4 used the Saarc platform+ to take on Pakistan over the Pathankot and 26/11 terror attacks, both planned and masterminded by Pakistan-based terrorist groups.
It was against the rules and regulations of the conference if Nisar had mentioned India by name, but he just replied to a statement which was somehow linked to Pakistan and giving a statement in that specific matter was mandatory on the state level, Nisar said.
He said that these steps have contributed to security interests in the region and they’ve come at a cost of Pakistani lives lost.
Advertisement
An Interior Ministry official source from Islamabad also confirmed that there was no such blackout of Rajnath’s speech as none of the speeches of participating ministers was shown.
