AMN/ ISALAMBAD
India’s Home Minister Rajnath Singh has said that terrorism should not be glorified and patronized by any country. Speaking at the SAARC Home ministers meet in Islamabad today, Mr Singh said, countries should show zero tolerance against any type of terrorism.
“One country’s terrorist cannot be a martyr or freedom fighter for another country”, he said adding that mere condemnation of terrorist attacks in Pathankot, Dhaka and Kabul is not enough and all countries must harden their resolve to eradicate the menace.
He said, the will and the mandate of international community against proscribed and wanted terrorists and their outfits must also be respected and implemented. He said, immediate and effective action is required against all those who support or encourage international terrorism in any way, whether they are state actors or non-state.
SAARC CONDEMN TERRORISM IN ALL ITS FORMS AND MANIFESTATIONS
The Home Minister also drew attention of SAARC member states to the adverse effects of drug trafficking and its abuse. Mr. Singh pointed out that the problem of drug trafficking is also connected with all types of organised crimes.
Earlier, Mr Singh, along with his counterparts from the member countries called on Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. He was the part of the joint delegation of the Interior and Home Ministers of SAARC nations when they called on the Pakistani Prime Minister at his office. The meeting lasted for about 20 minutes during which only pleasantries were exchanged.
After coming back from Pakistan, Rajnath Singh briefed Prime Minister Narendra Modi this evening about his visit to Islamabad. Official sources said, Mr Singh called on Prime Minister and informed him about the speech he made at the SAARC conference, his interactions on the sidelines with the leaders and deliberations during the official sessions.
Reports of blackout of Rajnath’s speech at SAARC are misleading: MEA
External Affairs Ministry has said, reports of blackout of Home Minister Rajnath Singh’s statement in SAARC meeting in Islamabad are misleading.
Sources in the Ministry said, it is the standard SAARC practice that the opening statement by the host country is public and open.
They added that the rest of proceedings are in camera, which allows for a full and frank discussion of issues.