Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif called on Wednesday for co-operation, not confrontation, with on-and-off foe India and said the two countries should formalise a ceasefire in disputed Kashmir.
Advertisement
Swaraj also exhorted the worldwide community to not categorise terrorists as “good” or “bad” and underscored the need for “zero tolerance” for terrorism and to not ascribe any religion to terrorists as they have no religion.
Indian critics also contend that peace overtures from Islamabad’s civilian government are ultimately hollow because it is Pakistan’s powerful army, which has ruled the country for nearly half its existence, that controls foreign policy.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has taken a tough line with Pakistan, insisting he’s unwilling to debate different points until Pakistan admits its position in terror assaults in India.
“Massive protests erupt in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir as people demand freedom from Pakistan, raise pro-India slogans”, wrote Pawan Durani. The “heart of the matter”, India noted, “is a state that regards the use of terrorism as a legitimate instrument of statecraft” whose “consequences have spread beyond the immediate neighbourhood”.
Singh said that while Kashmir was under foreign occupation, “the occupier in question is Pakistan”. Following several armed conflicts, the two countries agreed to a ceasefire in 2003.
In his comment, spokesperson Vikas Swarup said: “To de-militarise Kashmir is not the answer, to de-terrorise Pakistan is“.
As for the border incidents, Singh said, “The primary reason for firing is to provide cover to terrorists crossing the border. Blaming neighbours is not a solution”, he said.
“India using right to reply at UNGA have asked Pakistan for early vacation of Pakistan Occupied Kashmir”, tweeted Debasis Dash. “It is in fact the prime sponsor of terrorism”, he added. “This is because durable peace and stability in the region depends on a just and lasting settlement of this dispute in accordance with the resolutions of the UN Security Council”, Ahmad said.
She said that the mastermind behind the Mumbai terror attacks are walking free.
“We have always maintained that we are supposed to be dignified and not counter Pakistan’s allegations, but it hasn’t worked”.
Advertisement
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, in her address to the world body, said India does not need four points but only one that Pakistan should give up terror and come to the negotiating table for talks.
