New Delhi (NVI) Defense Minister Rajnath Singh today said that Pakistan must take demonstrable steps against terrorism and terror groups, while calling upon SAARC nations to be united in defeating the menace.
While addressing the 12th South Asian conference here, the defence minister reiterated the Indian government’s stand that talks and terror cannot go together.
Singh said that India is fully capable of giving a firm response to cross-border terrorism, and strikes against terrorist attacks in 2016 and 2019 have demonstrated the nation’s firm resolve to defeat terrorism.
The Union Minister said that India was engaged in conversations with its neighbour in order to develop joint approaches for regional peace and security. He also called upon the member countries of the regional outfit SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) to be united in efforts to defeat terrorism.
“With the exception of Pakistan, the SAARC countries have adhered to the principles of non-interference in each other’s internal affairs and not supporting cross-border terrorism,” he said.
