NEW DELHI: Indian Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday termed Pakistan a ‘terrorist state’ in an anti-Pakistan rant, hours after suspected militants attacked an Indian army base in India-held Kashmir (IHK). “Pakistan is a terrorist state and should be identified and isolated as such,” Rajnath tweeted. “I am deeply disappointed with Pakistan’s continued and direct support to terrorism and terrorist groups,” the Indian home minister said. Rajnath’s vitriol comes as Pakistan and India gear up for a showdown at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) starting on Monday. Pakistan is preparing to “forcefully” highlight the situation in IHK at the UNGA, whereas India intends to counter Pakistan’s stance by raising the Balochistan issue, arguing that the Baloch are also seeking independence from Pakistan and deserve international support. India is also backing Baloch activists to hold a demonstration outside the UN headquarters during the prime minister’s speech. Both Pakistan and India are trying to persuade the US to support their positions. The US, however, appears to have decided not to take sides. Pakistan has had to contend with incendiary remarks by Indian lawmakers with increasing frequency as both countries lock horns over the Kashmir issue. The FO on Saturday said that Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Geneva Ambassador Tehmina Janjua termed India’s attempts to deny its illegal occupation of Jammu and Kashmir is a “travesty of history”.
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