ISLAMABAD: The Foreign Office (FO) of Pakistan has strongly criticized the joint statement issued by the United States (US) and India following a meeting between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Joe Biden. The Foreign Office deemed the statement “misleading and unwarranted” and expressed that the reference to Pakistan goes against diplomatic norms and carries political undertones.
During Modi’s visit to the US, major defence and technology deals were sealed between the two countries, highlighting Washington’s focus on India as a counterweight to China. The joint statement, issued on Thursday, called on Pakistan to take action against extremist groups targeting India, including the banned Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammad.
In response to media queries, the FO Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch stated that the specific reference to Pakistan in the joint statement is unwarranted, one-sided, and misleading. She emphasized that Pakistan has been closely cooperating with the US in counterterrorism efforts and highlighted the nation’s significant sacrifices in the fight against terrorism.
The spokesperson underscored that the people of Pakistan are the true heroes in this fight and reiterated that the international community has repeatedly recognized Pakistan’s efforts and sacrifices. She questioned the effectiveness of the joint statement in strengthening the international resolve to combat terrorism, suggesting that geopolitical considerations have overshadowed the cooperative spirit required to address the issue.
The spokesperson noted that India, being a state sponsor of terrorism, is not in a position to cast aspersions on Pakistan’s fight against terrorism. She criticized the joint statement for failing to address the key sources of tension and instability in the region and neglecting the grave human rights situation in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu & Kashmir (IIOJK), which amounts to an abdication of international responsibility.
Expressing deep concern, the FO spokesperson highlighted that the planned transfer of advanced military technologies to India accentuates the military imbalance in the region and undermines strategic stability. Such steps are seen as unhelpful in achieving the objective of durable peace in South Asia.
Pakistan urged its international partners to adopt a holistic and objective view of peace and security issues in South Asia, refraining from endorsing one-sided positions.
Pakistan’s Sacrifices in War Against Terrorism
Meanwhile, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif criticized President Biden for welcoming Modi, referring to him as the “butcher of Gujarat.” Asif highlighted Modi’s alleged involvement in state-sponsored terrorism in Indian-held Kashmir and the mistreatment of minorities across India.
The irony of this statement coming during the visit of someone who was banned entry to the U.S. for overseeing a pogrom of Muslims when he was CM Gujarat. He leads yet another campaign of state sponsored terrorism in Kashmir, which includes routinely maiming and blinding the…
— Khawaja M. Asif (@KhawajaMAsif) June 23, 2023
Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif posted a statement on Twitter on Friday, highlighting the country’s extensive sacrifices and long-standing battle against terrorism. He attributed Pakistan’s struggles to failed American interventions in the region. Asif also called attention to the irony of the statement being made during the visit of a leader who was previously banned from entering the US due to his alleged involvement in a violent anti-Muslim episode as Chief Minister of Gujarat.
Furthermore, Asif accused Modi of spearheading state-sponsored terrorism in Kashmir and perpetuating violence against the local population, including acts of maiming and blinding. He also alleged that minorities, such as Muslims and Christians, face regular persecution across the rest of India, with little consequence for the perpetrators.
Pakistan Criticized Global Community for Dual Standards
Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari criticized the global focus on terrorism, stating that over the past 14 months, the world has shifted its attention from Afghanistan to Ukraine, neglecting the issue of terrorism. He emphasized that merely mentioning terrorism in statements is not enough; genuine attention and action are required to address the problem effectively. Bilawal pointed out that major powers often prioritize geopolitics over combating terrorism, which he believes should not be a controversial or politicized issue.
The foreign minister stressed that if terrorism is to be effectively countered, Pakistan is willing to take the lead in addressing it within its own borders. However, for global cooperation in combating terrorism, international partners must prioritize the issue and commit to tackling it collectively, setting aside other conflicts and geopolitical considerations. Only through such unified efforts can terrorism be uprooted and eliminated, Bhutto-Zardari stated.
He highlighted that Pakistan’s commitment to fighting terrorism stems from the aspirations of its people and its national security needs, rather than being influenced by a joint statement. Bhutto-Zardari reiterated that Pakistan has previously confronted and defeated terrorism, but due to the policies of the former prime minister, the country has faced setbacks, and terrorism has resurfaced as a pressing issue.
The foreign minister expressed concern that if left unaddressed, terrorism could become a problem for other countries as well. He assured that Pakistan would issue a detailed response to the joint statement through the Foreign Office. Bhutto-Zardari also emphasized the importance of Pakistan focusing on its internal issues and problems rather than being overly involved in global politics. He stated that by first rectifying internal matters, Pakistan can better achieve its international objectives.
Bilawal emphasized that Pakistan should not feel insecure about its relationship with the world or its bilateral partnership with the US due to the growing cooperation between India and the US. He called for Pakistan to focus on its own development and progress while maintaining its commitment to combat terrorism.
