When asked how he would comment on Pentagon’s decision to withheld reimbursement under Coalition Support Fund (CSF) when the US State Department believes Pakistan has made progress, the spokesman declined to answer and referred the questioner to Pentagon. He gave a summary of the events that unfolded over there, briefly addressing the controversy surrounding the blacking out of his speech in the Pakistani media.
Advertisement
“It is true that Pakistan Interior Minister (Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan) invited everyone for lunch”.
In Islamabad, Singh had delivered a stern speech asking Pakistan to stop encouraging “terror” groups and “glorification” of “terrorists” and also called for “strongest action” against nations supporting “terrorism” and their isolation.
Responding to a question, Toner said that United States believes that Pakistan has taken, and is taking, steps to counter terrorist violence, and certainly focusing on those groups that threaten people of Pakistan or the country’s stability.
“No type of terrorism or support to it can be justified on any grounds whatsoever”. The Convention includes ensuring effective measures so that those committing terrorist acts do not escape prosecution and punishment, and are extradited or prosecuted.
Singh said that he cancelled a lunch meeting with his Pakistani counterpart but he left in his auto after inviting him, said Indian media reports. The turmoil, which has left over 50 people dead in clashes between security forces and Kashmiri protesters, was triggered by Wani’s killing. The global community needed to ask Pakistan about worldwide intervention and anti-state activities on Pakistani soil and particulars of the countries involved in it, he added.
“Pakistan on national grounds has been successful in curbing terrorism by implementing the National Action Plan and carrying out the operation Zarb-i-Azb”, said the premier.
Pak claimed that Singh left SAARC meet at Kashmir’s mention; India denied.
External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Vikas Swarup’s remarks came amid a raging controversy after Home Minister Rajnath Singh’s two-day visit to Pakistan for a Saarc ministerial meeting. The hosts allegedly did not courtesy which forced Indian Home Minister to skip the lunch.
The Home Minister also touched upon the issue of countries providing safe haven to terrorists and other criminals. It is my hope that we would be able to demonstrate to our concrete progress in areas of our mutual concern and interest that I mentioned.
Advertisement
No bilateral meeting between Rajnath Singh and his Pakistani counterpart took place in Islamabad. Find us on Facebook too!
