While Modi said that the "rising tide of terrorism, especially cross-border terrorism, and the rise of radicalisation are grave challenges to our security. They threaten the very fabric of our societies." Loong added that his country "condemns terrorism in all forms." The Singaporean prime minister also offered his condolences to the families of the 19 soldiers who were killed in the September 18 militant attack on an Indian Army camp in Uri, Kashmir.
Earlier in the day, Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad criticised Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal for demanding footage of the surgical strikes carried out the Indian Army across the Line of Control to "expose Pakistan's false propaganda". Analysts have said the strikes were in response to the Uri attack.
Prasad said, "Please don't do or say anything whereby our armed forces feel let down. When the entire country is united, one chief minister has said something that has prompted Pakistan and its army to raise questions."
Prasad's retort comes a day after the Aam Aadmi Party chief had released a video in which he lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his stand against Pakistan, but he had also asked the Modi government to release footage to stop foreign media from supporting Pakistan's claim that the strikes never took place. Islamabad has denied the surgical strikes by the Indian Army, saying it was only cross-border firing.
The Union minister also came down heavily on Congress veteran P Chidambaram for saying that the Centre had carried out similar operations during the Congress' regime but never made it public, reported The Indian Express. “Is he also joining the bandwagon of those doubting capacity of our soldiers in conducting the surgical strikes?” asked Prasad.
Limited-time offer: Big stories, small price. Keep independent media alive. Become a Scroll member today!
Our journalism is for everyone. But you can get special privileges by buying an annual Scroll Membership. Sign up today!