ISLAMABAD:
Top foreign policy officials have recommended that the government should stick to its ‘peaceful neighbourhood’ policy instead of getting distracted by constant Anti-Pakistan hysteria by the Indian leadership, a local media source quoted.
When the civil and military leadership have reacted strong and sharp to the tirade from across the border, more than a dozen Pakistani ambassadors in different countries have cautioned the ruling party’s politicians not to fall into the trap laid by administration of Narendra Modi.
The ambassadors posted in Saarc (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) and ECO (Economic Cooperation Organisation) regions met last week at the Foreign Office to review a host of regional issues, including the current stalemate in Pakistan-India ties.
After three days of closed-door deliberations, the envoys presented their recommendations to the government, sources stated.
In an unprecedented outburst against Pakistan, Indian PM Modi during his recent trip to Bangladesh had not only accused Islamabad of sponsoring terrorism, but also acknowledged the Indian government’s role in the break-up of Pakistan in 1971. His cabinet members were more vocal and suggested that India should support terrorists to neutralise terrorists. Some even threatened carrying out ‘surgical strikes’ against terrorists inside Pakistan.
On his recent visit to China also, the Indian premier had reportedly opposed the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, fearing the project might be used in future for military purposes, sources claimed.
The envoys also agreed that Pakistan should also develop a “counter narrative to pre-empt Indian propaganda” about maligning Islamabad with allegations of cross-border terrorism.
Although the recommendations were not made public, Foreign Office spokesperson Qazi Khalilullah in his weekly briefing last Friday also said that Pakistan was committed to the Prime Minister’s vision of regional peace and wished enhancing bilateral relations with all neighbouring countries, reportedly.