Politicians belonging to different political parties have strongly disapproved the Indian government’s move to cancel a meeting between the Pakistani and Indian foreign ministers, scheduled to be held on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly, just a day after confirming the development.
While some domestic issues have brought the Bharatiya Janata Party-led government under severe scrutiny, the upcoming Indian elections are also making Prime Minister Narendra Modi hesitant from engaging with Pakistan.
Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry reasoned that the Indian govt is divided on the issue of negotiations. “Have never seen such a puerile statement given by any Foreign Office,” he reacted to the statement of India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar in which he cited “unclean intentions” on Pakistan’s side.
It seems that the Indian govt is divided on the issue of negotiations — have never seen such a puerile statement given by any Foreign Office. The world is watching: Pakistan stands for peace while Indian policies are being guided by extremist ideologies
— Ch Fawad Hussain (@fawadchaudhry) September 21, 2018
“The world is watching. Pakistan stands for peace while Indian policies are being guided by extremist ideologies,” the info minister said.
A day earlier on Thursday, Kumar had confirmed India’s agreement to Pakistan’s request for a meeting between Foreign Minister Qureshi and his Indian counterpart Sushma Swaraj on the sidelines of the UNGA.
Former leader of the opposition in Senate, Sherry Rehman argued that the Modi government “has suddenly found Pakistani government evil over a stamp issued on July 24 and a Kashmir killing ruse.”
“Running from talks won’t change the fact that this time Indian repression in Kashmir has been noticed in a UN report,” she tweeted while referring to the Modi government.
Shame that on #InternationalPeaceDay India has refused to talk peace with Pakistan in even a routine manner at the @UN on the sidelines of the General Assembly. Running from talks won’t change the fact that this time Indian repression in Kashmir has been noticed in a UN report
— SenatorSherryRehman (@sherryrehman) September 21, 2018
So Modi Govt suddenly found Pk Govt “evil” over a stamp issued on 24July, and a Kashmir killing ruse. Weak diversion from 1) domestic crisis over #HollandeBombshell and #RafaelDeal; 2) anxiety over earlier @UN report and session where Delhi may have to defend Kashmir atrocities
— SenatorSherryRehman (@sherryrehman) September 22, 2018
She stated that the Indian government had used the statement as a weak diversion from the domestic crisis over Hollande interview and Rafale deal. “(There is) anxiety over earlier UN report and session where Delhi may have to defend Kashmir atrocities,” Rehman stated.
Former Senator Farhatullah Babar demanded of India to provide evidence and asked Pakistan to assist in the probe. He said, “Within hours of agreeing to Qureshi-Swaraj meeting, India has backtracked citing killing of its security men allegedly by Pak-based entities,” regretting that “as always, no sooner a small step is announced the process is derailed.”
Within hours of agreeing to Qureshi-Swaraj meeting, India has backtracked citing killing of its security men allegedly by Pak-based entities. As always no sooner a small step is announced the process is derailed. India must provide evidence and Pakistan must assist in the probe.
— Farhatullah Babar (@FarhatullahB) September 21, 2018
President Arif Alvi, who has served at top positions in the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), stressed that it was sad to see India backing off from FM level talks. “Mutual reservations could have been placed on the table. Kashmiris face only disappointment on International Day of Peace,” he said while commenting that PM Imran Khan’s outstanding peace overture negated in their usual belligerent manner.
