Rajnath to leave for Pakistan today

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh will leave for Pakistan this evening to attend the 7th SAARC Home Ministers' conference in Islamabad. Mr Singh, in his speech at the two-day meeting, is expected to raise the issue of Pakistan's support to terror groups operating in India and ask Islamabad to check Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammad and other groups based in that country. 

Mr Singh is also likely to raise the issue of fake Indian currency notes being circulated at the behest of Pakistani agencies. Apart from terrorism, other key issues likely to be discussed include liberalization of visa,



illegal trafficking in narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and small arms and how to make coordinated and concerted efforts to combat such menace. External Affairs Ministry has made it clear that there will be no bilateral meeting between the Home Minister and Pakistani leaders.

The visit comes in the backdrop of growing strain in the Indo-Pak ties after Pakistan and its Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif made provocative statements on the Kashmir situation in the wake of a militant's killing on the 8th of last month. The Home Minister will return to New Delhi tomorrow after the meet.