Modi’s speech proves RAW’s meddling in Balochistan, says Aziz

• PM’s adviser says Indian PM trying to divert global attention from tragedy in India-held Kashmir
• Foreign Secretary Aizaz Chaudhry invites Indian counterpart S Jaishankar to Pakistan for dialogue on Kashmir dispute

Adviser to Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz on Monday said Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was trying to divert global attention from the tragedy in India-held Kashmir.

“Modi was only trying to divert world attention from the grim tragedy that has been unfolding in Indian-occupied Kashmir over the past five weeks,” said Aziz, referring to Modi’s comments.

Modi, on the occasion of India’s 70th Independence Day, said in his address to the nation that people of Balochistan, Gilgit and Azad Kashmir had thanked him and he was grateful to them.

Modi’s criticism of Pakistan, while avoiding direct mention of month-long protests in India-held Kashmir, was the only time the Indian premier focused on foreign policy in his Independence Day speech which he delivered from the ramparts of the Red Fort in Delhi.

Aziz said that thousands of unarmed youth are protesting every day for their right to self determination.

“More than 70 innocent Kashmiris have been killed and more than 6,000 have been injured. There is persistent curfew and a complete media blackout,” said the adviser, shedding light on conditions in Indian Occupied Kashmir.

Aziz reiterated that the Kashmiris’ struggle is an indigenous movement for self determination which was “promised to the Kashmiris by the UN Security Council”.

“At this time, the contrast between Indian Occupied Kashmir and Azad Kashmir could not be starker.”

Referring to Modi’s comments made earlier in the day, the adviser said that Balochistan is an integral part of Pakistan and Modi’s comments only prove Pakistan’s contention that India, through the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), has been fomenting terrorism in Balochistan.

“This was also confirmed by the public confession of RAW’s serving naval officer Kulbhushan Jadhav in March this year,” added Aziz.

Taking a swipe at India, Aziz said India is a large country and this must be acknowledged, but having a large country does not translate into having a great country.

“A country which unleashes such brute force against innocent citizens to suppress their right to protest or use pellet guns to rob the eye sight of over 100 youths is not a great country,” said the foreign affairs adviser.

Aziz further added that India must recognise the core issue of Kashmir which cannot be solved through bullets, but requires a political solution.

Earlier on Monday, Foreign Secretary Aizaz Chaudhry invited his Indian counterpart S Jaishankar to Pakistan for dialogue on the Kashmir dispute, the Foreign Office (FO) said.

Aizaz called on the Indian High Commissioner to Islamabad and handed over a letter addressed to Jaishankar highlighting the international obligations of Pakistan and India with regards to resolving the Kashmir dispute in accordance with the United Nations Security Council resolutions, said FO spokesman Nafees Zakaria.

The move comes as relations between Pakistan and India remain strained a day after ceasefire violations along the Line of Control on Aug 14, and Pakistan’s High Commissioner to New Delhi Abdul Basit’s comments dedicating Independence Day to the freedom of Kashmiris.

Tensions between Pakistan and India have been running high since the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani sparked anti-government protests in India-held Kashmir, with over 70 people dead in clashes between protesters and Indian authorities.