Don't glorify terror: Rajnath Signh at Saarc meet

ISLAMABAD: In a terse message to Pakistan, India today said there should be no glorification of terrorists as martyrs and also called for "strongest nation" against nations supporting terrorism.

Without mincing any words, Home Minister Rajnath Singh, who is here to attend the seventh meeting of the Interior/Home Ministers Conference of SAARC countries here, said mere condemnation of terrorism and terrorists is not enough.

Singh's comments in his speech came against the backdrop of Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's praise of Burhan Wani who was killed in an encounter in Jammu and Kashmir on July 8 and his description of Hizbul Mujahideen commander as a martyr, much to India's ire.

"There should be no glorification or eulogising of terrorists as martyrs. There are no good terrorists or bad terrorists," Singh said.

The Home Minister also said there should be "strongest action" not only against terrorists or organisations but also against those individuals, organisations and nations who support terrorism.

Not only did Sharif praise Wani but he also remarked that "Kashmir will one day become Pakistan", a comment which evoked a sharp reaction from External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, who said his dream of the state becoming a part of his country "will not be realised even at the end of eternity.