Bill meant to declare Pak a terrorist state withdrawn

Indian government, that keeps hitting out at Pakistan for sponsoring acts of terrorism at the international fora, asked a Rajya Sabha member on Friday to withdraw his private member bill that sought to declare Pakistan as a terrorist state.

Despite getting unequivocal support for his bill cutting across party lines, Independent member Rajeev Chandrashekhar, who had introduced the Declaration of Countries as Sponsor of Terrorism Bill, 2016, withdrew it when asked by the government to do so.

The government said "the existing laws already have sufficient provisions for dealing with the citizens of a terrorist country."

The development came a day after when United States Congressman and Chairman of the House subcommittee, Ted Poe introduced the Pakistan State Sponsor of Terrorism Bill in the House of Representatives saying that not only is Pakistan an untrustworthy ally, Islamabad has also aided and abetted enemies of the United States for years.

Making a fervent appeal in support of the bill, BJP leader Subramanian Swamy, who is a nominated MP, gave example of a US senator for introducing a similar bill.

"With Trump becoming President it is possible they will all go in that direction... each time you can't say peace, peace, peace. There has to be, at some stage, retaliation. Either Executive has to take action, or accept his bill and we will come forth with our own bill in this matter or a statement in the House. We should coordinate with US and Israel in fighting Pakistan and it's time to withdraw Pakistan's MFN status," said Swamy.

Swamy found support in Swapan Dasgupta, a nominated member close to the BJP, who said, "It's time we have a foreign policy commensurate with India's rising economic power status."

Supporting the bill, JD(U) member Javed Ali Khan asked for inclusion of Israel in the list as it was also sponsoring terrorism in the Middle East.

However, no minister or elected member from the treasury benches supported the bill.

After the debate, MoS for Home, Gangaram Ahir said, "The existing laws already have sufficient provisions for dealing with citizens of a terrorist country" and asked Chandrasekhar to withdraw the bill which he promptly did.
According to sources, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh had told Parliament Secretariat not to accept the bill as it would jeopardise international relations under the Geneva Convention.

Such a Bill can't be accepted since India is bound by International norms according to which India maintains diplomatic relations with neighbouring countries, sources said.

Later, Chandrashekhar said he was not disappointed but satisfied as his main objective to initiate a nationwide debate and in the parliament about the need to look at India-Pakistan relations in a fresh perspective was met.