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| 11 April 2004 | Sunday | 20 Safar 1425 |
ARF: India blocking Pakistan's entry
ISLAMABAD, April 10: The Indian Ministry of External Affairs is quietly lobbying against Pakistan's entry into the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), it is learnt.
The ARF, established in 1994, is the principal forum for security dialogue in the Asia-Pacific region.
A report in The Hindustan Times on Monday said that the Indian Ministry of External Affairs has asked all its ambassadors in the 10 ASEAN countries to oppose Pakistan's candidature for the ARF.
"The Hindustan Times has learnt that in a "secret" communication sent by officiating foreign secretary J. C. Sharma recently, Indian envoys were told to explain New Delhi's position to these countries and block Pakistan's entry," the report added.
Quoting unnamed diplomatic sources, the report said that during the last week Indian envoys in all the ASEAN countries met senior officials in the respective foreign offices to lobby against Pakistan's entry into the regional grouping.
In the backdrop of the recent peace initiatives by both Pakistan and India, this move has come as a rude shock to the Pakistani establishment. While so far the government has remained tight- lipped on this issue, officials privately concede they are disturbed and disappointed by this move.
Meanwhile, officials here claim that all ASEAN countries overwhelmingly support Pakistan's candidature for the ARF.
The decision regarding Pakistan's membership will be taken at the ARF ministerial meeting in July. However, since all future ARF membership decisions are to be taken by consensus, Indian opposition can keep Pakistan out of this exclusive forum.
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