Remember 1971, Venkaiah tells Pakistan

The NDA Vice-Presidential candidate comments came days after the U.S. listed Pakistan among the nations and regions that provide “safe haven” to terrorists.

M. Venkaiah Naidu

The ruling National Democratic Alliance’s Vice-Presidential candidate M. Venkaiah Naidu on Sunday warned Pakistan against sponsoring terror, asking it to recall what happened in the 1971 India-Pakistan war when it faced a humiliating defeat and Bangladesh was born. “Pakistan is mixing terror with religion. Terrorism unfortunately has become their state policy. Terrorism is an enemy of humanity and has no religion,” he said at the ‘Kargil Parakram Parade’ here in memory of the sacrifices of Indian soldiers in the 1999 conflict with Pakistan.

“Our neighbour should understand that aiding and abetting terror will not help them. They had an experience in 1971, they should remember that experience and focus on creating peace and prosperity for their people,” he added.

Mr. Naidu’s comments came days after the United States listed Pakistan among the nations and regions that provide “safe haven” to terrorists.

The United States said terror outfits like the Lashkar-e-Taiba and the Jaish-e-Mohammad continue to operate, train, and raise funds in Pakistan.

Mr. Naidu asserted that Kashmir is an integral part of India and not an “inch” of it would be ceded to Pakistan.

He said Pakistan, which had embarked on the “Kargil misadventure”, was now resorting to “diplomatic misadventures” to create trouble in Kashmir.

“It is time all ‘mis-adventurists’ realise that India’s development story can’t be derailed by such ‘shoot and scoot’ tactics. We are too strong to get irritated and lose our focus,” he said.

Mr. Naidu’s comments come at a time when there have been reports of shelling by Pakistan in Jammu and Kashmir. Two Army jawans were killed and six people, including three civilians, injured about a week back as mortar bombs fired from Pakistan hit villages along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir. There have also been reports of school buildings in the State being damaged in the shelling.

Mr. Naidu, who has been a Cabinet Minister and also the BJP’s national president in the past, was recently named by the party as its choice for the post of Vice-President.

He said he was now ready to prepare himself for a constitutional post and had withdrawn from his party.

( With inputs from PTI )