India’s comments followed Pakistani Charge d’Affaires Saad Ahmad Warraich’s statement that a “new dawn” in relations between the two countries can be ushered in by increasing mutual understanding.
India missed a national day reception hosted by the Pakistani high commission here for the second year in a row even as it termed Islamabad’s “active” support of cross-border terrorism as the “biggest roadblock” to peace.
New Delhi also criticized Pakistan for welcoming wanted Islamic preacher Zakir Naik, who has been in the eye of a storm over his controversial statements. India’s statement came after Pakistani Charge d’Affaires Saad Ahmad Warraich explained that a “new dawn” in relations between the two countries can be ushered in by increasing mutual understanding, tackling shared issues and finding solutions to “long-standing disputes” such as the Kashmir issue.
Warraich made the remarks at the reception organized by the Pakistani High Commission last night. Similar to last year, there was no Indian representation at the event. It is not known if Pakistan had invited Indian officials for the reception. Responding to a question if the Pakistan high commission had sent an invitation for the event, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal replied that he didn’t have details on it.
But he added: “As for invitations, they are based on relationships, aren’t they? Acceptance of invitations is based on the relationship.” In his statement, Jaiswal also mentioned his Tuesday statement that was released after Pakistan condemned Prime Minister Narendra Modi for some critical comments on Pakistan.
In the statement, Jaiswal stated that Pakistan should leave Indian land under its “illegal” occupation rather than “spreading lies”. In that specific statement, we had, among other things, stated that the world well knows that the actual problem is Pakistan’s active encouragement and sponsorship of cross-border terrorism,” the spokesperson added.
“This is the largest obstacle to peace and security in the region,” he said. India has been asserting that it wants normal neighbourly relations with Pakistan but asserting that the burden is on Islamabad to provide an atmosphere of no terror and no hostility for such interaction.
Modi in a recent podcast indicated that any attempt at promoting peace with Pakistan was responded to with hostility and betrayal and that he wished that there would be wisdom among the leadership in Islamabad to enhance bilateral relations.
