Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh to visit Pakistan in August for SAARC meet

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Delhi: Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh will travel to Islamabad for SAARC interior and home ministers conference on August 3.

This will be the first visit by a senior Indian leader to Pakistan following the terror strike on the Pathankot air base.

This visit also assumes significance in the backdrop of violence and tension in Jammu and Kashmir after Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist Burhan Wani's death. India has blamed Pakistan for trying to create unrest in the Valley.

As per a report in The Times of India, the decision to allow Singh to travel to Pakistan for the two-day conference could be intended to signal that India will fulfill its responsibilities in regional dialogues and neighbouring countries.

The Daily also quoted sources in the government as saying that the HM may also have bilateral meetings with senior figures in the Nawaz Sharif government.

Meanwhile, India on Wednesday asked Pakistan to stop cross border terror activities and asserted it will take all necessary steps to safeguard national security and territorial integrity.

The government told Parliament that terrorism emanating from territories under Pakistan's control remained India's "core concern" and that the Pathankot attack and strikes in various places in Kashmir have highlighted the continued threat of cross border terrorism and infiltration.

"In response to Pakistan's recent statements in support of known terrorists killed in India, Government has asked Pakistan to stop all terrorism and anti-India activities in Pakistan or territories under its control," Minister of State for External Affairs VK Singh, said replying to a question in Lok Sabha, as per PTI.

He said Pakistan has been told that it cannot be in denial on the impact of terrorism on the bilateral ties, and it must expeditiously bring to justice all those guilty of Mumbai terror attack as well as of the Pathankot strike.

The Minister said the government remained continuously vigilant and "firm" in its resolve to take all necessary steps to effectively safeguard India's security and territorial integrity.

Singh said Pakistan has been in "illegal and forcible" occupation of approximately 78,000 sq kms of Indian territory in Jammu and Kashmir.

"China continues to be in illegal occupation of approximately 38,000 sq kms in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir.

"In addition, under the so-called 'Sino-Pakistan Boundary Agreement of 1963', Pakistan illegally ceded 5180 sq kms of Indian territory in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir to China," he said.

(With Agency inputs)