In one of his sharpest attacks on Pakistan over terrorism and Jammu and Kashmir, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar called his visiting Pakistani counterpart Bilawal Bhutto Zardari a “promoter, justifier and a spokesperson” of the terror industry.
meeting of Foreign Ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in Goa Friday
Speaking after the meeting of Foreign Ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in Goa Friday, Jaishankar said, “As a Foreign Minister of an SCO member state, Mr Bhutto Zardari was treated accordingly. As a promoter, justifier and a spokesperson of a terrorism industry, which is the mainstay of Pakistan, his positions were called out and they were countered including at the SCO meeting itself.”
victims of terrorism do not sit together with perpetrators of terrorism
“You know, victims of terrorism do not sit together with perpetrators of terrorism to discuss terrorism. The victims of terrorism, defend themselves, counter acts of terrorism, they call it out, they delegitimise it and that is exactly what is happening.”
Pakistan’s credibility is depleting even faster than its forex reserves
“So, to come here and preach these hypocritical words, as though we are on the same boat, I mean, they are committing acts of terrorism. And you know, I don’t want to jump the gun on what happened today (referring to the attack in J&K in which 5 soldiers were killed) but I think we are all feeling equally outraged. Let’s be very, very clear on this terrorism matter. I will say Pakistan’s credibility is depleting even faster than its forex reserves,” he said.
Pakistan raising objections to India hosting G20 meetings in Srinagar
Responding to questions on Pakistan raising objections to India hosting G20 meetings in Srinagar, he said, “They have nothing to do with G20. In fact, they have nothing to do with Kashmir. There is only one issue to discuss on Kashmir which is when does Pakistan vacate its illegal occupation of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.” He saidJammuand Kashmir “was, is and will” always be part of India.
Bhutto Zardari raising the issue of revocation of Article 370 in J&K
Responding to another question on Bhutto Zardari raising the issue of revocation of Article 370 in J&K, he said, “Wake up and smell the coffee. Article 370 is history.”
Whether peace is destiny or not, terrorism is not destiny
On the Pakistan Foreign Minister’s statement that “peace is the destiny”, he said, “Whether peace is destiny or not, terrorism is not destiny.” On Bhutto Zardari’s comment that “let’s not get caught up in weaponising terrorism for diplomatic point-scoring”, Jaishankar said it “unconsciously reveals a mindset”.
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Pakistani journalist asks whether the visit could be seen as a “breakthrough” in ties
Asked by a Pakistani journalist whether the visit of the Pakistan Foreign Minister could be seen as a “breakthrough” in ties, Jaishankar said, “He came as a member of SCO country, and don’t see it more than that.”
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