Rajnath Singh to raise issue of Pakistan support to terror in SAARC meet

NEW DELHI: India is exploring the possibility of holding parleys with Pakistan during the two-day visit of Union home minister Rajnath Singh to Islamabad to attend the Saarc ministerial conference beginning August 3.

This could be another attempt made by New Delhi to break the deadlock between the two countries after the Pathankot attack on January 2, and the more recent rhetoric and counter-rhetoric on Kashmir.

Government sources told ET that they have been tasked to quietly firm up the key points of discussion between Singh and his Pakistani counterpart Minister of Interior Chaudhary Nisar Ali Khan. Union home secretary Rajiv Mehrishi is also likely to accompany Singh to Pakistan. Singh is expected to raise the issue of terrorism and the use of Pakistani soil to foment trouble in India. His visit comes amidst the prevailing tension in Kashmir, especially after the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani.

India has blamed forces in Pakistan to be behind the unrest in the Valley. Pakistani leaders, on their part, have criticised India over the Kashmir unrest, and the country observed a 'black day' on July 20 to protest against the killings. Following the unrest, Singh had visited the Valley and held discussions with over 30 delegations who conveyed to him to engage with the separatists. Singh has so far refused to recognise Hurriyat leaders, but is believed to have passed on the sentiments expressed by the delegation to his government, said people familiar with the matter.