And as usual Kashmir is the focal point.
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At the same time, they added there was no change in India’s policy towards NAM.
Recently, India has countered Pakistan with proof of its direct involvement in destabilising the country’s internal security, and upped the ante on Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (POK) asking Islamabad to vacate the territory.
Spokesman Nafees Zakaria on Wednesday said that India wanted to divert the world’s attention from the grave situation in Indian-held Kashmir. We feel for people inside the country as well as outside the country.
He also called on Islamabad to do more to prevent terrorism. Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj had promptly hit back accusing Sharif of advancing the “despicable design” of destabilising South Asia by exporting “dirty money and risky terrorists”.
There has already been a face-off at the United Nations (UN).
In a strong criticism of Pakistan, he said nearly all major initiatives of India in Saarc – be it enhancing connectivity or having deeper engagement in some other key areas – did not fructify due to hurdles posed by Islamabad. Though Kashmir was not mentioned in the joint statement, it was taken as understood that “all outstanding issues” would include the dispute. “Pakistan strongly condemns the continuing use of force by India and [the] violation of human rights”, the spokesperson said.
Ties have been hit most recently over the killing of Burhan Wani by Indian security forces in July.
The Foreign Secretary was interacting with journalists at Foreign Correspondents’ Club in New Delhi during which he touched upon a wide range of issues including challenges on foreign policy front and India’s engagement with major powers like US, Russia and China. “But on the other hand, you appeal to Kashmiri youth to take up arms”. India’s stand on this is very clear. India’s democracy and secularism would receive a body blow if India accepted the idea that because Muslims are the majority in a state they should secede.
A few days ago Pakistan had given a proposal for sending supplies to Jammu and Kashmir, something that was termed by India as absurd.
“Yadav’s admission also vindicated Pakistan’s stance about Indian involvement in terrorist activities on its soil”, he added.
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Pakistan on Thursday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi crossed the “red line” by talking about Balochistan and asserted that it will “forcefully” raise the Kashmir issue at the UN General Assembly session next month. “He is the first PM who has been able to speak openly about this matter”.
