FO spokesperson expresses regret over Modi's Dhaka speech

Published June 9, 2015
The Spokesperson underlined that while Pakistan believes in peaceful co-existence and maintaining good neighbourly relations with India, characterization of bilateral relations by Prime Minister Modi as “nuisance” is unfortunate.-APP/File
The Spokesperson underlined that while Pakistan believes in peaceful co-existence and maintaining good neighbourly relations with India, characterization of bilateral relations by Prime Minister Modi as “nuisance” is unfortunate.-APP/File

ISLAMABAD: Taking note of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s statements during his visit to Bangladesh, Foreign Office spokesperson Qazi M. Khalilullah said on Tuesday that it confirms Pakistan’s stance on India’s negative role against a sovereign neighbouring state.

In the referred speech, Modi had acknowledged the Indian government’s interference in the events of 1971 in the then Eastern Province of Pakistan.

The spokesperson added that it was regrettable that Indian politicians not only indulge in actions that are in violation of the United Nations’ Charter but also take pride in recalling their interference in the internal affairs of other states.

Read: Modi blames Pakistan for spreading terrorism in India

With reference to Mr Modi’s allegations against Pakistan at Dhaka University, Qazi M. Khalilullah underlined that while Pakistan believes in peaceful co-existence and maintaining good neighbourly relations with India, characterisation of bilateral relations by Prime Minister Modi as “nuisance” is unfortunate.

The spokesperson reiterated that the people of Pakistan and Bangladesh are bound not only by the strong bonds of religious affinity but also by the history of their struggle for independence against colonial rule.

Indian attempts to sow seeds of discord between the two brotherly nations of Pakistan and Bangladesh will not succeed, he stressed.

The FO spokesperson also called upon the International community to take note of Indian acknowledgement of its interference in East Pakistan.

The latest developments follow Indian Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar's statement which had asserted that terrorists have to be neutralised only through terrorists.

Also read: India killing ‘terrorists’ in surgical strikes, says minister

Pakistani Defence Minister Khawaja Asif had said that his Indian counterpart’s statement about sponsoring terrorism to counter terrorism was a blatant admission of sponsoring terrorism in Pakistan.

Also read: Khawaja Asif slams Indian minister’s statement of ‘sponsoring terrorism to counter terrorism’

“This is the worst kind of declaration by a state functionary of cabinet level which confirms that India is sponsoring terrorism against its neighbours in the name of preventing terrorist activities,” the minister said had in a statement.

Last week, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif said that contours of future wars are fast changing.

"While our enemies supporting terrorism to stoke sub-conventional conflicts and destabilise our country, we are fully determined, capable of defeating nefarious designs," the army chief had said.

Know more: Pakistan and Kashmir are inseparable: General Raheel Sharif

General Raheel's statement follows a flurry of similar assertions that India is involved in stoking terrorism in Pakistan.

In recent weeks, the military and civilian leadership have expressed serious concerns of India's "nefarious designs", with top government officials saying India is attempting to sabotage Pakistan's historic $46 billion agreement with China.

The Pakistan Army last month asserted that Indian spy agency Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) is involved in terrorism in Pakistan.

Read more: Senate body adopts resolution against Indian defence minister statement

Taking strong exception to the statement made by the Indian defence minister about sponsoring terrorism to counter terrorism, the Senate's Standing Committee on Defence last month had also adopted a condemnation resolution.

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