In a fresh attempt to raise the pressure on Pakistan in the international arena, India will take up the issue of cross-border terrorism with Russia and United States during the visit of home minister
In a fresh attempt to raise the pressure on Pakistan in the international arena, India will take up the issue of cross-border terrorism with Russia and United States during the visit of home minister Rajnath Singh to the two nations in the coming week, starting next Sunday. The growing influence of the Islamic State in the subcontinent will also be discussed during the visits to the two countries, sources said.
On Sunday, the home minister chaired a high-level meet to review security arrangements in the Kashmir Valley ahead of the Id festival later this week. It was decided to deploy additional paramilitary forces in and around Srinagar during Id-ul Zuha as it was felt that separatists may try and trigger fresh violence during the festival, an official source said. National security adviser Ajit Doval, home secretary Rajiv Mehrishi and top intelligence and security officials were present at the review meeting.
Mr Singh directed the security forces to go after those instigating youths to indulge in violence and try to bring back normality in the state within a week. He said schools and other educational institutions should be allowed to function as students were worst sufferers in the turmoil. Attempts should also be made to reopen shops and other commercial establishments that were shut completely, the home minister told the officials.
Mr Singh will begin his five-day official visit to Russia on September 18 and will hold bilateral talks with Russia’s internal affairs minister Vladimir Kolokoltsev, and discuss issues related to cross-border terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir, Indo-Russia joint anti-terror cooperation and the growing activities of ISIS in India and its neighbourhood.
The home minister will then travel to Washington from September 26 for a week for the Indo-US Homeland Security Dialogue with his American counterpart, Jeh Charles Johnson. In Washington, Mr Singh will raise the issue of Pakistan-sponsored terrorism and the activities of ISIS in India and other South Asian countries.
The home minister will have detailed discussions with his Russian and US counterparts on how to enhance anti-terror cooperation, check ISIS’ growing activities and the sharing of intelligence inputs. Other issues that will be discussed include extradition of each others’ wanted criminals and liberalisation of visas.
“During talks with both countries the home minister will highlight Pakistan’s direct involvement in cross-border terrorism and the growing activities of the Middle Eastern terror group in India and its neighbourhood. The bilateral visits by the minister are part of India’s efforts to create global opinion against Pakistan-sponsored terrorism in India,” a senior home ministry official said.
Further cementing anti-terror cooperation, real-time sharing of intelligence inputs, cyber security and critical infrastructure protection, countering illicit finance, global supply chain security, megacity policing and science and technology are some of the key issues to be discussed at the meetings scheduled in Moscow and Washington.
During the US visit, the home minister and his delegation will discuss two key recently-signed agreements. Global Entry, a US Customs and Border Protection programme, permits speedy clearance for pre-approved, low-risk travellers upon arrival in the US. The Homeland Security Presidential Directive-6 (HSPD-6) allows access to information on terrorists.
