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Updated 26 Nov, 2015 08:04pm

Pakistan fully capable of defending itself from Indian aggression, says defence minister

ISLAMABAD: Defence Minister Khawaja Asif on Thursday said that Pakistan is fully capable of defending itself from Indian aggression, according to a report published on Radio Pakistan.

“The extremist mentality with which Modi soared to great heights, the same mentality will trigger his fall,” said Asif.

He also said that if Indian exhibits good intentions and is sincere, Pakistan will also desire for amicable ties with its neighbour.

“India itself spoiled the atmosphere and created distances,” stated the defence minister.

He also added that every effort that can be made for peace must be undertaken and initiated.

Read: Dossiers on Indian terrorism have irrefutable evidence, asserts FO

Both India and Pakistan blame each other for the insurgency in their countries.

Islamabad recently handed over dossiers to United States (US) and United Nations (UN) Secretary General regarding India’s alleged involvement in terrorism inside Pakistan.

The dossiers, according to previous official statements, contained proofs about Indian involvement in Balo­chistan, Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) and Karachi.

In November, the special assistant to prime minister on foreign affairs, Syed Tariq Fatemi, said that Pakistan is ready to hold dialogue with India on all outstanding issues.

India in October had rejected a four-point peace plan for Kashmir proposed by Pakistan but said talks among officials of both countries on terrorism that collapsed in August should be revived.

Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had announced his proposal at the annual United Nations General Assembly session, saying the two nuclear-armed countries should formalise a ceasefire in Kashmir and take steps to demilitarise the divided region.

India and Pakistan have fought three wars since becoming independent countries in 1947, two of them over the Himalayan region of Kashmir, which both claim in full but rule in part.

Sharif, elected in 2013, promised to improve relations with India. But since then domestic troubles have forced him to cede more control over foreign and security policy to Pakistan's military. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has taken a hard line with Pakistan, insisting he is unwilling to discuss other issues unless Pakistan admits its role in terror attacks in India.

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