Imran fears conflict risk while India in election mode: FT
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan said he feared another security incident with India after the two nuclear-armed countries engaged in a dangerous escalation that fuelled “war hysteria” in New Delhi ahead of elections next month.
In an interview with the Financial Times on Tuesday, Mr Khan said tensions were still high even after the crisis over a suspected militant attack in India-occupied Kashmir had eased with the release of an Indian pilot captured by Pakistani security forces.
“I’m still apprehensive before the elections, I feel that something could happen,” Mr Khan told the newspaper.
Take a look: All wars are miscalculated, no one knows where they lead: PM Khan
Pakistan and India, which have fought three wars since gaining independence from Britain in 1947 over the Kashmir issue, passed through a crisis last month after India accused Pakistan of being behind a militant attack that killed 40 policemen in Pulwama, in India-held Kashmir in February.
Know more: Indian Twitter erupts in praise over Imran’s decision to release IAF pilot
Islamabad denied responsibility for the attack, which was claimed by Jaish-i Mohammed, but the attack prompted India to launch a cross-border air strike against what it claimed was a militant training camp in Pakistan.
Pakistan responded with air strikes of its own and in an ensuing dogfight over Kashmir, at least one Indian plane was shot down and its pilot was captured. The pilot was subsequently returned to India, leading to an easing in the crisis.
Mr Khan has offered to hold talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the issue, the latest in a long series of confrontations over Kashmir, a majority Muslim region that is claimed by both countries. However, he said Mr Modi’s government appeared to be using the tensions for electoral purposes.
“When Pulwama happened I felt that Mr Modi’s government used that to build this war hysteria,” Mr Khan told the newspaper.
“The Indian public should realise that this is all for winning the elections; it’s nothing to do with the real issues of the subcontinent.”
He repeated a denial that Pakistan was involved in the Pulwama attack and said a crackdown had been launched against militant groups.
Published in Dawn, March 27th, 2019
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Comments (15) Closed
The PM is right on the mark. Pro Modi channels, pro Modi movies and non serious biopics are all glistening with the fact that all needs to be done to stay in power.
A potentially dangerous situation may be in the immediate future. Khan wisely anticipates the worst and wisely prepares for same...
Gordon D. Walker
Canada
So don't start any trick.
Imran is very wise man, I am wondering is anyone in India listening? Anti Pakistan emotion has blinded most Indians but I still hopeful there are few with insight and vision. Let's join hands to bring peace this region.
Modi will come again. Think before you speak Mr PM.
The election will pass. This is not an emergency.
USD crossed PKR 141 is an indication of grave financial situation due to failure in all fronts. PM needs a sensitive matter to divert the attention. Good try
@Vande bharat, Modi will come again and get kicked again as well. Be ready for that!
@Sameer, another faux pas by cricketer Imran Khan. Still a controversial cricketer unable to understand and learn international diplomacy and when and what to talk. Talks of peace but maked controversial statement which could create tension.
It is the period after the elections that you should really worry about.
Imran has been acting as a star campaign for Modi. I don't know why this is for but some time it prompts me to believe that it is like the last US election. Remember Rusia?
To be PM of India, Modi can do what Imran Khan has said in this interview.
@worth_commenting, Modiji will win elections with hige majority.
do not fear anything , just be cautious.
Statements like these are for the consumption of the domestic audience in order to divert them from the core issues !!!
Comments (15) Closed
The PM is right on the mark. Pro Modi channels, pro Modi movies and non serious biopics are all glistening with the fact that all needs to be done to stay in power.
A potentially dangerous situation may be in the immediate future. Khan wisely anticipates the worst and wisely prepares for same...
Gordon D. Walker
Canada
So don't start any trick.
Imran is very wise man, I am wondering is anyone in India listening? Anti Pakistan emotion has blinded most Indians but I still hopeful there are few with insight and vision. Let's join hands to bring peace this region.
Modi will come again. Think before you speak Mr PM.
The election will pass. This is not an emergency.
USD crossed PKR 141 is an indication of grave financial situation due to failure in all fronts. PM needs a sensitive matter to divert the attention. Good try
@Vande bharat, Modi will come again and get kicked again as well. Be ready for that!
@Sameer, another faux pas by cricketer Imran Khan. Still a controversial cricketer unable to understand and learn international diplomacy and when and what to talk. Talks of peace but maked controversial statement which could create tension.
It is the period after the elections that you should really worry about.
Imran has been acting as a star campaign for Modi. I don't know why this is for but some time it prompts me to believe that it is like the last US election. Remember Rusia?
To be PM of India, Modi can do what Imran Khan has said in this interview.
@worth_commenting, Modiji will win elections with hige majority.
do not fear anything , just be cautious.
Statements like these are for the consumption of the domestic audience in order to divert them from the core issues !!!