In a reply he sent in response to a letter from Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif informing the United Nations chief about the deteriorating situation in Kashmir and the large-scale violations of human rights being committed by Indian security forces, Ban Ki-moon said, “He was ready to offer his good offices, should it be requested by both sides, to facilitate dialogue in order to achieve a negotiated settlement,”. Pakistan’s record of cross-border terrorism and infiltration were central to the problems in Balochistan.
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But India hit back with Swarup saying, “I find this extraordinary remark (Pakistani statement accusing India of crossing the red line by raking up the Balochistan issue) from a senior functionary of Pakistan that recognises no red lines in its own diplomacy”. India can not continually keep on ignoring the sentiment of azadi (freedom) that exists in Indian-occupied Kashmir by labelling the uprising as the work of a few miscreants backed by Pakistan. He said India and Pakistan should settle the outstanding dispute through negotiations.
According to Swarup, Jaishankar in his letter “conveyed that he accepts his counterpart’s invitation to visit Islamabad” but made it clear that the discussions should focus first on the more pressing aspects of the Jammu and Kashmir situation. “However, MEA will do what it has to because after all people of PoK are also our people”, he said.
Deliberations should also focus on denying safe haven, shelters and support to terrorists in Pakistan who have escaped Indian law, Jaishankar said in his letter.
They handed over Ahmed’s body to his family early Thursday, the villagers said, speaking on condition of anonymity because they feared reprisals.
Jaishankar also wanted a discussion on closing down terror camps in Pakistan where militants like Bahadur Ali, who was recently arrested in the state, continued to be trained for attacks against India.
“The Indian state of J&K has been its particular target”.
He has also expressed his willing to go to Islamabad and discuss if they agrees to have discussion only on terrorist activities.
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Indian media had reported that a meeting of all political parties in India presided over by Modi this week dismissed the United Nations Human Rights Commission’s (UNHRC) request to visit Indian-occupied Kashmir. He said, the only difference this time was that the Prime Minister was moved by the various messages received by him and therefore he shared it with the people.
