Talks not on Modi’s terms

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan yesterday reiterated its stance that Kashmir must be on the agenda of any bilateral engagement with India and that the talks essentially take place on the principle of equality.
“Pakistan will hold talks with India only if the Kashmir issue is on the agenda,” Islamabad’s top security adviser told the media.
“The international community has supported Pakistan’s stance that the two countries need to hold dialogue on all outstanding issues including Kashmir,” PM’s Adviser on National Security and Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz said.
“The parleys of national security advisers were scrapped last month because of Indian rigidity over Kashmir, he said after addressing the 4th meeting of Regional Technical Group on Disaster Management Confidence Building Measures under Heart of Asia. He came down hard on Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for seeking political mileage at home through running an ‘anti-Pakistan propaganda’.
Modi was tried on the charges of initiating and condoning religious riots in Gujarat as the CM of the western Indian state, which left hundreds of Muslims and Hindus dead in 2002.
There were instances of rape, children being burned alive, and widespread looting and destruction of property in the state ran by Modi for more than a decade. Caste clashes last month forced the Indian government to impose curfew in the same state. “Modi contested elections on anti-Pakistan propaganda and now wants to dictate terms for the dialogue with Pakistan but we will never accept this and we have already conveyed it to New Delhi,” Sartaj said.
He said that Pakistan would not be pressured by Indian threats of an attack at any time, adding that if India even thought of attacking, Pakistan would provide a befitting response. However, the adviser hoped the today meeting between the Rangers DG and Indian BSF Commander in New Delhi will ease tensions along the LoC and Working Boundary.
He said that there would be less worry of security at the embassy as anti-Pakistan statements were expected to decrease following the meeting between the DG Rangers and BSF chief.
He said the meeting being held in accordance with the Ufa declaration is aimed at reducing tension on the Line of Control and the working boundary.
Sartaj said that the issue of the implementation of the 2003 ceasefire agreement will be raised at the meeting. He rejected Indian allegations about the presence of Dawood Ibrahim in Pakistan, asserting that a befitting reply would be given to any Indian misadventure on that count.
Sartaj said that Pakistan would present a dossier on Indian interference in the country at the United Nations.
He said there had been an issue of security at the Pakistani embassy, but the government had been assured that security was increased.
The adviser said there had been an issue of security at the Pakistani embassy, but the government had been assured that security was increased.
He said that there would be less worry of security at the embassy as anti-Pakistan statements were expected to decrease following the meeting between the DG Rangers and BSF chief.
Answering a question about his recent visit to Afghanistan, Sartaj said his visit was aimed at building trust and confidence between the two neighbours. He said the visit had been successful as the Afghan president Ashraf Ghani had a better understanding on security issues with Pakistan, adding that the Afghan President has agreed to take steps for the restoration of bilateral trust. He said Kabul assured Islamabad of augumenting security for the Pakistan Embassy in Kabul.
Sartaj Aziz also said that the Afghan Commerce minister would visit Pakistan in November this year to explore avenues for the promotion of bilateral talks. He said Operation Zarb-e-Azb has been progressing successfully to eradicate terrorism from the country which will help socio-economic development and peace in the region especially Afghanistan.
Earlier, addressing the 4th meeting of Regional Technical Group on Disaster Management Confidence Building Measures under Heart of Asia, Aziz said China-Pakistan Economic Corridor will play an important role in enhancing the connectivity in the region.
The Heart of Asia, also known as the Istanbul Process, was attended by fourteen countries and several world organisations. The meeting was organised by National Disaster Management Authority in collaboration with United Nations Development Programme. Pakistan, as a co-lead with Kazakhstan hosted the 4th Regional Technical Group Meeting on Disaster Management Confidence Building Measures.