Imran propped up by Pak army: VK Singh

Tribune News Service

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New Delhi, September 17

Minister of State for External Affairs General VK Singh (retd) today lashed out at Pakistan for sponsoring terror even as he accused Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan of being a puppet of the army.

Interacting with media along the sidelines of a seminar on Smart Border Management organised by industry body FICCI, Singh said: “Did you all expect a change? The question is that he was propped up by the (Pakistan) army. Let us wait and watch. Question remains whether he will remain under army control or not.” He was responding to a question on the new Pakistan government’s approach to terror sanctuaries on its soil.

Singh’s sharp comments come just weeks after Prime Minister Narendra Modi dialled Khan to congratulate him on his election victory and wrote soon after his oath ceremony. The US had recently welcomed the positive approach between the two bitter neighbours.

The minister also reiterated the government’s stated position of “talks on terror can happen but talks and terror cannot go hand in hand”. “Our policy is very clear that dialogue will happen provided the environment is made conducive,” said Singh.