ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Thursday India’s hegemonic pretensions present a clear danger to regional stability and to Pakistan’s security.
Addressing a ceremony, the foreign minister said India resorts to war-mongering and issues nuclear threats including for short term domestic electoral gains., and has bilaterally engage dialogue and rejects proposals aimed at risk reduction, confidence-building, and nuclear missile restraint.
He said Pakistan’s conduct continues to be defined by restraint and responsibility, and the avoidance of an arms race. However, Pakistan cannot remain oblivious to the evolving security dynamics in its immediate neighbourhood, he stated.
FM Qureshi said Pakistan desires peace and strategic stability in order to focus on its socio-economic development agenda. “India is also pursuing a massive build-up of its nuclear and conventional military forces and acquiring destabilizing capabilities.” he said.
The minister said on August 5, India sought to further consolidate its illegal and immoral occupation of Indian-occupied Jammu and Kashmir in violation of numerous UNSC resolutions and international law.
“Pakistan’s relationship with India has remained challenging as ever. On 5 August 2019, India sought to further consolidate its illegal and immoral occupation of IOJ&K in violation of numerous UNSC resolutions and international law.”
“India’s intention is to alter the internationally-recognised disputed status of occupied Jammu and Kashmir and to change its demographic structure and identity,” he stated.
He said the inhuman lockdown of eight million people continuing for over 70 days is imposing unspeakable sufferings on the people of Indian occupied Jammu and Kashmir. He reiterated Pakistan will continue to stand by Kashmiris in their just struggle for realisation of the right to self-determination.
Speaking about Afghanistan, the foreign minister said Pakistan is fully supporting peace and reconciliation to be achieved through an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned process. He said the government has supported all rounds of Afghan peace talks in Doha and Abu Dhabi, and hoped that the US-Taliban talks recommence and lead to intra-Afghan negotiations.
The foreign minister said China remains our closest friend and a steadfast partner. He said both countries are determined to execute China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects. He said during the recent visit of Prime Minister Imran Khan the government has proposed more projects for Chinese investment that can rejuvenate and consolidate our economy.
