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Parrikar flip-flop

Published On : 27 May 2015


New Delhi, May 26 (The Telegraph): Defence minister Manohar Parrikar today said his statement last week that he would "use terrorists to take out terrorists" was quoted out of context but that he would "do anything for the defence of the country".

Parrikar's statement at an event organised by a television channel was immediately seized by officials in Pakistan who wanted to paint a picture of India as a sponsor of state terror.

"This statement only confirms Pakistan's apprehensions about India's involvement in terrorism in Pakistan. It must be the first time that a minister of an elected government openly advocates use of terrorism in another country on the pretext of preventing terrorism from that country or its non-state actors," Sartaj Aziz, the adviser to the Pakistan Prime Minister on foreign affairs, had responded.



Parrikar's remark was also criticised by strategists and diplomats in India. But the defence minister today said his observations were not a general statement of policy and also that his full response was not broadcast frequently enough.

"My statement was edited... misinterpreted," he said, while responding to questions from journalists this morning after addressing a naval commanders' conference.

He underlined that his remark was "generic" and "not against anyone in particular".


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