THE Indian external affairs ministry has issued a demarche to Iran over what it called supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's 'adverse' remarks on the Jammu and Kashmir issue (Nov 20).

In a message to Haj pilgrims, the Iranian leader had asked Muslims across the world to back the pro-liberation campaigns in Kashmir, equating the region with Afghanistan and Iraq.

The Ayatollah had also called upon the pilgrims that “today the major duty of the elite of the Ummah is to provide help to the Palestinian nation, to sympathise and provide assistance to the nations of Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iraq and Kashmir to engage in struggle and resistance against the aggression of the US and the Zionist regime”.

The statement came at a time when Iran and India have been enjoying good economic relations.

Without being expedient and taking into consideration the commercial interests, the Iranian leader spoke on a just cause and also highlighted the close and brotherly relations between Pakistan and Iran.

Pakistan and Iran are neighbour countries. People of Pakistan can never forget Iran's help and assistance in its hours of crisis in the past.

There is not even an iota of doubt in the minds of the Pakistanis that the destiny of the two brotherly countries and their survival is linked with each other.

With unity and mutual cooperation they can surmount all difficulties.

BUSHRA SIDDIQUI
Islamabad