Terrorist safe havens have become a problem in Pakistan, and India and the U.S have reasserted the urgent need for Pakistan to dismantle them. These safe havens are hot spots for terrorist and crime network activity.
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj stated that she and Secretary John Kerry had discussed the issue of terrorism at length. “I am happy to note that there was a meeting of minds on this issue,” she said.
Swaraj briefed Kerry on the ongoing issues of terrorist activity across numerous borders, especially in India and larger regions in Pakistan.
“We both agreed that nations must not maintain double standards, such as the categorization of good and bad terrorists, nor must they act as sanctuaries and safe havens for terrorist organizations,” Swaraj added.
The importance of dismantling safe havens for terrorists and criminal activity such as Lashkar-e-Toiba, Jaish-e-Mohammad and D Company were expressed at length. Swaraj added that she and Kerry had agreed on the need for Pakistan to renew efforts to bring the perpetrators of the 2008 Mumbai and 2016 Pathankot terrorist attacks to justice.
Kerry also stated that the U.S has, and will continue, to support all efforts to bring those involved with the Mumbai and Pathankot terror attacks to justice.
Kerry also said that the two countries have agreed to exchange “terrorist screening information” to deepen cooperation in designating terrorist groups at the UN.
Asked about the possible resumption of India-Pakistan talks, Swaraj stated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Pakistan in December 2015 “and we got Pathankot in return.” She added that “talks and terrorism cannot go together”.
Efforts continue between the three nations to cut down on terrorism and criminal activity, and Pakistan seems to be reacting to the urging of India and the U.S to dismantle safe havens for terrorists and crime activity can take place.
It remains uncertain how effective this will be.
