Anyone who comes to India will be given security: Rajnath

With concerns being raised about the security for Pakistani cricket team for the T20 World Cup, Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday said India has always ensured security for foreigners and there should be “no doubt” about it.

“Anyone who comes to India will be given security. Not only Pakistan, but citizen of any country who comes to India is always provided security. There should be no doubt about it,” he said on the sidelines of on the sidelines of the 47th Raising Day celebrations of CISF here.

The high-voltage World Twenty20 clash between arch-rivals India and Pakistan was moved to Kolkata from Dharamsala following safety concerns but Pakistan team’s departure continued to be on hold, pending fool-proof security assurance from the Indian government.

Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju had on Thursday said that India is committed to provide security to the Pakistan team.

“We have fool proof arrangement made, it is our duty to provide that and Pakistan should have no doubts on that. Security will be provided as per need. If the Pakistan cricket team deserves special security, they will be provided with that,” Rijiju had said.

“We have to provide security for everyone. For international events, it is our sovereign duty to provide security to any country, including Pakistan,” he had said.

When asked about Vijay Mallya’s case, Rajnath refused to comment, saying Parliament session was on. On the two affidavits in Ishrat Jahan encounter case, he said his Ministry is “internally” examining the matter. 

Later, Rajnath asked security forces to always keep themselves prepared against the onslaught of forces inimical to India as the country is striving to grow and become a $5 trillion economy in the next few years.

He said as India takes confident steps to be a stronger world economy, it is expected that anti-India forces will attempt to target “delicate and sensitive places” in the country.

“India is one among the 10 big economic powers of the world. Indian economy is fast progressing and it is expected the economy of the country will balloon from two trillion dollars to $5 trillion, a fact forecast by leading international analysts.

“Those inimical to us don’t like this and, therefore, they plot to attack soft targets such as our strategic assets and vital installations,” he said while addressing CISF personnel during their 47th Raising Day here.