Congress on Friday launched a sharp attack on Defence Minister Rajnath Singh for his remarks at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, accusing him of giving a clean chit to Pakistan on the issue of terrorism. Speaking at the SCO meeting in Tashkent, Rajnath Singh had stated that Pakistan had taken some steps to curb terrorism, but more needed to be done. The Congress party seized upon this statement, alleging that the minister was downplaying Pakistan's role in sponsoring cross-border terrorism.
Congress's Reaction
Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera said that Rajnath Singh's remarks were a betrayal of the sacrifices made by Indian soldiers and citizens in the fight against terrorism. He questioned why the defence minister would praise Pakistan when the country continues to support terrorist groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammad. Khera added that such statements weaken India's stance on terrorism and send the wrong signal to the international community.
BJP's Defense
The Bharatiya Janata Party, however, defended Rajnath Singh, stating that his remarks were taken out of context. BJP spokesperson GVL Narasimha Rao said that the defence minister had clearly mentioned that Pakistan needed to do more to dismantle the infrastructure of terrorism. He accused the Congress of twisting the minister's words for political gains.
Background
Rajnath Singh's comments came during his address at the SCO summit in Tashkent, where he highlighted the need for collective action against terrorism. He appreciated the steps taken by some countries, including Pakistan, but emphasized that there should be no space for terrorism in any form. The SCO is a regional security alliance that includes India, Pakistan, China, Russia, and several Central Asian countries.
The controversy erupted as the Congress party alleged that the defence minister's remarks were a departure from India's consistent policy of isolating Pakistan over its support for terrorism. The opposition demanded an explanation from the government, while the ruling party insisted that the minister's statement was balanced and in line with India's foreign policy objectives.
Political analysts believe that the issue could escalate into a major political row, with both sides digging in their heels. The Congress has called for a parliamentary debate on the matter, while the BJP has accused the opposition of trying to create unnecessary controversy.
