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    Rajnath Singh makes veiled attack on Pakistan at Saarc home ministers' summit

    Synopsis

    Rajnath Singh on Friday made a veiled attack on Islamabad on the issue of terrorism during the Saarc home ministers' meet in Nepal.

    TNN
    (This story originally appeared in on Sep 20, 2014)
    NEW DELHI: With Pakistan's ambassador to Nepal in attendance, Rajnath Singh on Friday made a veiled attack on Islamabad on the issue of terrorism during the Saarc home ministers' meet in Nepal.

    Singh said all countries in the region need to be alert on the fallout of withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan and specifically mentioned India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka as potential victims leaving Pakistan out.

    He also said India is committed to bringing justice to victims of the 26/11 Mumbai attacks. In related statement, being seen as an attack on Pakistan's tacit support to Hafiz Saeed and LeT despite mounting evidence of their involvement in 26/11 attacks, Singh urged the countries to bring out legislation that stipulates stringent punishment for individuals, organizations and publications that "advocate and incite terrorism and violence, across national boundaries".

    On the issue of terrorism, Singh said, "We need to carefully assess the impact on the entire South Asian Region of the withdrawal of foreign forces from Afghanistan ... We are naturally concerned by new threats of extremism, terrorism and violence being held out to South Asian countries like India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, which cannot but raise concerns."

    He said, "Groups with radical and extremist ideologies do pose threats across national boundaries, in this volatile security environment. These groups even have no compunction in issuing threats publicly against neighbouring and regional countries."

    He also raised the issue of drug problem in Punjab being pumped in from India's neighbourhood and its implications vis-a-vis terrorism.

    Singh said the problem of counterfeit currency was linked to this as money from both smuggling of fake currency and drugs was funding terrorism. "I might add that we are facing serious problems arising from drug smuggling in states located on our borders like Punjab. This menace afflicts both countries where narcotic substances are produced, and countries beyond their borders. Funds from such smuggling often finance terrorism," Singh said.

    Beyond expressing India's internal security concerns, Singh met leaders of Nepal's political parties, including Prachanda and Baburam Bhattarai, and urged them to bring in a Constitution at the earliest. Sources said he stressed that the new Constitution must be "inclusive and federal" in nature.

    Singh also floated the idea of establishing a 'Saarc Centre for Good Governance' where administrative officers from all member countries could come together to exchange their experiences on development and good governance. The proposal was accepted by all countries, sources said.

    The meet also saw signing of an MoU between India and Nepal for a 900 MW power project on Karnali river, said sources.



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