Hindu extremist groups are a hurdle to normalcy, Pak Interior Minister

Pakistan's Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan said Hindu extremist groups like the RSS, Shiv Sena and Abhinav Bharat are the biggest hurdles in the way of normalisation of ties between the two countries.

Khan in a statement on Monday, added that such extremist groups have influence over the Indian government.

He also described Indian Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj's recent statement on India-Pakistan relations as surprising.

Swaraj had said that the prime ministers of the two countries enjoyed good relations but some forces didn't want a normalisation of bilateral ties.

Swaraj in a conference in New Delhi said the warmth and ease in relationship between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif can help resolve complex issues, and added that there are forces which do not want good relations between the two neighbours.

Khan said if Swaraj is serious and determined about having better ties with Islamabad, she should not talk in riddles or try for political point scoring.

He also called on Swaraj to point out the forces which were against good ties between Islamabad and New Delhi.

Khan asked Swaraj not to portray the Nawaz-Modi relations as personal.

The Interior Minister further questioned Swaraj's claim of New Delhi being serious about bringing normalcy between the ties of the two neighbours, adding that Indian Prime Minister Naredra Modi's recent speech in the US Congress exposed his 'so-called' friendship policy vis-a-vis Pakistan.