Against the backdrop of Pakistan’s active support to elements fanning unrest in Kashmir, Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday used the SAARC forum to send a tough message to the neighbouring country saying there should be no glorification of terrorists and called for “strongest action” against nations supporting terrorism.
Taking a jibe at Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif for his “ritualistic” condemnation of terrorism during his opening speech at the seventh meeting of the Interior/Home Ministers Conference of SAARC countries, Singh said mere condemnation of terrorism and terrorists is not enough.
“South Asia continues to be deeply affected by this malady, as witnessed most recently in cowardly terrorist attacks in Pathankot, Dhaka, Kabul and other places. Merely strong condemnation of such terrorist attacks is not enough. We must harden our resolve to eradicate this menace and also take serious steps to this end.
“It also needs to be ensured that terrorism is not glorified and is not patronised by any State. One country’s terrorist cannot be a martyr or freedom fighter for anyone. I also speak for the entire humanity — not just for India or other SAARC members — in urging that in no circumstances should terrorists be eulogised as martyrs. Those who provide support, encouragement, sanctuary, safe haven or any assistance to terrorism or terrorists must be isolated. Strongest possible steps need to be taken not only against terrorists and terrorist organisations but also those individuals, institutions, organisations or nations that support them. Only this will ensure that the forces engaged in promoting the heinous crime of terrorism against humanity are effectively countered,” said Singh.
Singh’s comments came in the background of Sharif’s recent praise of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani, who was killed in an encounter in Jammu & Kashmir on July 8, by describing him as a martyr, much to India’s ire.
Concentrating his speech on terrorist activities in the region, specifying the Mumbai and Pathankot attacks from Pak side, the Home Minister said justice should be ensured to victims of these terror attacks. “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. No type of terrorism or support to it can be justified on any grounds whatsoever. 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. Only then justice will be ensured for the victims of terrorist attacks such as in Mumbai and Pathankot,” he said.
“We must have the approach of ‘zero tolerance’ against any type of terrorism. In our common fight against terrorism, implementation of the SAARC Regional Convention on Suppression of Terrorism and its Additional Protocol becomes crucial. This also includes ensuring effective measures so that those committing terrorist acts do not escape prosecution and punishment, and are extradited or prosecuted,” he added.
Singh skipped the lunch hosted by his Pakistani counterpart Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan after the host himself left the venue. Khan had organised the lunch for the visiting dignitaries. However, the Pakistani Interior Minister left the venue immediately after the meeting got over. Singh then took the decision to skip the lunch.
The Home Minister later had his lunch at his hotel room along with the members of the accompanying Indian delegation. After the lunch, Singh left for India.
Soon after Singh completed his speech, some TV channels went on to blame Pakistan of blacking out its telecast.
However, Indian officials clarified that the blackout news was “misleading”.
“With reference to the Home Ministers meeting in Islamabad earlier today, media reports of a ‘blackout’ of our Home Minister’s statement are misleading. It is the standard SAARC practice that the opening statement by the host country is public and open to the media while the rest of the proceedings are in camera, which allows for a full and frank discussion of issues,” a Government source said.
The only broadcaster allowed inside the venue was state-owned Pakistan Television, the official said. The inaugural session was shown live when Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan made welcome speeches.
later in the evening, after reaching New Delhi by a BSF plane at 4:30 pm, the Home Minister Rajnath met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his visit to Pakistan. Official sources said Singh rushed to meet Modi straight from the airport to brief him about the events during his visit to Pakistan.