New Delhi: Home Minister Rajnath Singh will raise the issue of Pakistan’s continuous support to cross border terrorism with the top leadership of Bahrain and seek their cooperation in tackling international terrorism during his three-day visit to the Gulf country beginning Sunday.
Singh, who left for Manama on Sunday, will meet Bahrain King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, Prime Minister Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa and Interior Minister Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa and will discuss with them various bilateral issues. Pakistan’s continuous support to cross border terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir is expected to be raised by the Home Minister in his meetings with the top leadership of Bahrain.
Singh is also likely to tell them that India cannot take at face any of the assurances that Pakistan provides in regard to stopping terrorism. In a statement before his departure, Singh said India and Bahrain are working together to further strengthen security and counter terrorism cooperation between the two countries. The Home Minister said India and Bahrain enjoy excellent bilateral relations characterised by broad-based political, economic and cultural contacts.
There will be extensive discussions on how to enhance bilateral cooperation with regard to tackling international terrorism, organised crime and each other’s fugitives at the meeting between Singh and his Bahrain counterpart Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, sources said. Bahrain is a key member of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC) in which Pakistan is also a member. Singh will also address the Indian community in Bahrain during his trip.
On Friday, President of National Security Agency of Bahrain, Sheikh Talal bin Mohammed bin Khalifa Al-Khalifa, had called on the Home Minister here. Singh then told him that his three-day visit to Bahrain will enhance bilateral ties with the Gulf nation and it grows from strength to strength.
The Home Minister had hoped for an expeditious and successful negotiation of the bilateral Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Defence Cooperation which is under active consideration of the Bahraini side. Referrring to the buildup of ISIS in the West Asia-Gulf region and the rise of religious extremism, the Home Minister said its negative impact on the Muslim population around the world is of serious concern for India too. On relations with Pakistan, Singh had said since there was no change in Pakistan’s approach of sponsoring terrorism, “we cannot take at face any of the assurances that Pakistan provides in regard to stopping terrorism”.