NEW DELHI: Congress on Wednesday accused the Centre of giving a “clean chit to Pakistan” as defence minister Rajnath Singh said that “terrorism has no nationality and theology.”In a social media post on X, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said that the new “stance is part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s policy appeasement of the US and calibrated capitulation to China.””Yesterday, the defence minister, obviously with the approval of and at the instance of the Prime Minister, gave a shameful clean chit to Pakistan while speaking in Bishkek. Is Pakistan not the epicentre of terrorism? Are there no terrorist camps in Pakistan with India as their target? Is there no idelogical anti-India indoctrination in Pakistan?” Jairam Ramesh asked.”Were not the Mumbai and Pahalgam terror attacks masterminded and executed by terrorists from Pakistan? Clearly this new stance in relation to Pakistan is all part of the PM’s policy of appeasement of the US and calibrated capitulation to China. The defence minister’s shocking statements are as anti-national as the PM’s bizarre clean chit to China on June 19, 2020,” he added.This came as Rajnath, while addressing the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation defence ministers’ meeting in Kyrgyzstan’s capital Bishkek on Tuesday said “Operation Sindoor had demonstrated India’s firm resolve that terror epicentres will be meted out justifiable punishment”.His warning to Pakistan came before its defence minister Khawaja Asif at the meeting.”Just a couple of days back, on 22 April, we remembered the victims of the heinous terrorist attack in Pahalgam. The carnage in Pahalgam had shook the entire humanity. During Op Sindoor, we demonstrated our firm resolve that terrorism epicentres are no longer immune to justifiable punishment. Last year the Tianjin Declaration brought out our firm and collective stance against terrorism,” the defence minister said.”It was a testimony to our zero-tolerance outlook towards terrorism and its perpetrators, which was endorsed by this esteemed Forum.But the real test of our collective credibility remains in consistency. We must not forget that terrorism has no nationality and no theology. No grievance, real or supposed, can become an excuse for terrorism and humanitarian loss,” he added.On the global situation, he said, “The real crisis today is not of a non-existent order but a tendency to question the established rules-based world order. We must focus on a global consensus where co-existence, cohabitation and compassion take precedence over chaos, competition and conflict…We should not allow it to become an era of violence and war, but an era of peace and prosperity.”About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos‘Siddaramaiah Ready To Step Down As Karnataka CM If Rahul Gandhi Asks’: Ex-Minister RajannaBengal Phase 2 Polls: 142 Constituencies Vote Today, Over 3.21 Crore Voters to DecideChokepoints of Power: how India can ‘trump’ China on the seasSwati Maliwal’s Explosive Exit: Assault Allegations, ‘Betrayal’ Charges Rock AAP As She Joins BJPIndian Aviation Sector Warns Of Possible Shutdown Amid Soaring Fuel CostsUNGA Chief Hails India’s Global Role, Calls India’s Leadership Central To MultilateralismIndia To Receive Fourth Unit Of S-400 Missile Systems From Russia, To Be Deployed In RajasthanISRO-s Big Shift- Civilians To Join Gaganyaan Missions – India-s Space Programme Expands”Online Radicalisation Led To…” Maharashtra CM On ISIS-Inspired AttackIndia’s Defence Spending Hits $92 Bn, Becomes World’s 5th Largest Amid Global Military Surge123PhotostoriesMS Dhoni calls this city his home: “There’s no good reason for me to work, to shift to any other city”10 royal baby boy names inspired by kings and warriorsSuhana Khan returns in liquid gold in an Arpita Mehta saree that refuses to be ignoredMorning affirmation at 5am: Feeling lost? 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NEW DELHI: Congress on Wednesday accused the Centre of giving a “clean chit to Pakistan” as defence minister Rajnath Singh said that “terrorism has no nationality and theology.”In a social media post on X, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said that the new “stance is part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s policy appeasement of the US and calibrated capitulation to China.““Yesterday, the defence minister, obviously with the approval of and at the instance of the Prime Minister, gave a shameful clean chit to Pakistan while speaking in Bishkek. Is Pakistan not the epicentre of terrorism? Are there no terrorist camps in Pakistan with India as their target? Is there no idelogical anti-India indoctrination in Pakistan?” Jairam Ramesh asked.“Were not the Mumbai and Pahalgam terror attacks masterminded and executed by terrorists from Pakistan? Clearly this new stance in relation to Pakistan is all part of the PM’s policy of appeasement of the US and calibrated capitulation to China. The defence minister’s shocking statements are as anti-national as the PM’s bizarre clean chit to China on June 19, 2020,” he added.This came as Rajnath, while addressing the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation defence ministers’ meeting in Kyrgyzstan’s capital Bishkek on Tuesday said “Operation Sindoor had demonstrated India’s firm resolve that terror epicentres will be meted out justifiable punishment”.His warning to Pakistan came before its defence minister Khawaja Asif at the meeting.“Just a couple of days back, on 22 April, we remembered the victims of the heinous terrorist attack in Pahalgam. The carnage in Pahalgam had shook the entire humanity. During Op Sindoor, we demonstrated our firm resolve that terrorism epicentres are no longer immune to justifiable punishment. Last year the Tianjin Declaration brought out our firm and collective stance against terrorism,” the defence minister said.“It was a testimony to our zero-tolerance outlook towards terrorism and its perpetrators, which was endorsed by this esteemed Forum.But the real test of our collective credibility remains in consistency. We must not forget that terrorism has no nationality and no theology. No grievance, real or supposed, can become an excuse for terrorism and humanitarian loss,” he added.On the global situation, he said, “The real crisis today is not of a non-existent order but a tendency to question the established rules-based world order. We must focus on a global consensus where co-existence, cohabitation and compassion take precedence over chaos, competition and conflict…We should not allow it to become an era of violence and war, but an era of peace and prosperity.”
