Policy Statement of the Adviser to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs in the Senate of Pakistan

The Government has taken strong note of the statements of Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his recently concluded visit to Bangladesh in which he acknowledged Indian Government’s involvement in the events of 1971 in the then Eastern Province of Pakistan. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued a statement to express our concerns, and we have urged the international community to take note of India’s acknowledgement of its blatant interference in a sovereign neighbouring country. We appreciate the reaction issued by the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Foreign Relations.

Such statements only confirm Pakistan’s stance on India’s activities to destabilize Pakistan.

It is regrettable that the Indian politicians not only indulge in actions that are in violation of the United Nations Charter but also take pride in recalling their interference in the internal affairs of the other states.

Mr. Modi’s statement at Dhaka University in which he characterize bilateral relations as a “nuisance” is most unfortunate considering that Pakistan pursues a policy of maintaining good neighbourly relations.

Such statements not only vitiate the atmosphere, put a question mark on India’s sincerity to establish good-neighbourly relations with Pakistan, but also contribute towards shrinking the constituency for peace by negatively affecting the public perception.

The open admission of India’s active involvement against Pakistan’s territorial integrity at the highest political level point to the past and present subversive role played by its intelligence agencies in destabilizing Pakistan through supporting anti-Pakistan and terrorist elements, as a matter of state policy. This is a serious issue, which the world and the UN should take note of.

This statement should be seen in conjunction with the recent statement of the Indian Defence Minister to the effect of “neutralizing terrorism with terrorism.”

Pakistan is faced with numerous challenges in its unrelenting fight against terrorism. The brave people and valiant armed forces have sacrificed thousands in their efforts to eliminate the scourge of terrorism from our country. We will not allow any other country to unsettle Pakistan in this noble pursuit.

While in Bangladesh, Prime Minister Modi also tried to make a case for India’s permanent membership of UNSC. It is ironical for India to make such a claim in the face of the fact that India has been in violation of UNSC’s longstanding resolutions on Jammu and Kashmir.

It is regrettable that the Indian Prime Minister chose Bangladesh to make such statements, which are aimed at fanning hatred against Pakistan in Bangladesh.

I would like to avail of this opportunity to reiterate that the people of Pakistan and Bangladesh are bound not only by the strong bonds of religious affinity but also by the history of their struggle for independence against colonial rule. Indian attempts to sow seeds of discord between the two brotherly nations of Pakistan and Bangladesh will not succeed, Insha Allah!

May I assure the House that Pakistan would take all possible steps at the diplomatic front to expose India’s role in the breakup of Pakistan in 1971 and its declared policy of destabilizing Pakistan through terrorism.