Miasma of terrorism in Pakistan also targets India: Nirupama Rao

Nirupama Rao says region faces many challenges including the difficult situation in Afghanistan. PHOTO: AFP/FILE

India’s Ambassador to the United States Nirupama Rao said on Saturday that a “miasma of terrorism” which engulfs Pakistan, also targets and poses a threat to Indian citizens, Press Trust of India reproted.

Speaking about the challenges faced by the region at the Pondicherry University, she said “our region faces many challenges. The difficult situation concerning Afghanistan is one of them as well as the miasma of terrorism that is engulfing Pakistan and has targeted and endangered and continues to target and endanger our own citizens.”

“Our primary focus has to be on our region and how we marginalise and overcome those forces that do not want our region to grow and prosper, do not want education of our girl children or women’s empowerment and those forces that seek prolonging rather than the solution of issues that divide us,” she said.

“Emotional complexes cannot be a driving force in foreign policy”, she contended.

Referring to the oft quoted India centric policy of Pakistan, she said, “prescriptive approaches cannot be applied to India. There must be understanding of the challenges we face and our determination to overcome them.”

Indian Foreign Minister to visit Pakistan in July

The Indian foreign Minister S M Krishna confirmed on Saturday, that he would be journeying across the border to meet his counterparts in Islamabad in late July, Geo television reported.

Krishna will meet Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar and review all outstanding issues between the two countries.

He will also call on President Asif Ali Zardari and the Prime Minister.