India backs out of peace-talks yet again
Merely a day after confirmation by the Indian external affairs ministry that the foreign ministers of the two countries would meet while attending the SAARC lunch in the upcoming week in New York, the Narendra Modi-led government chose to retract.
The Indian foreign ministry claimed that the reason behind this decision was the “latest brutal killings of our security personnel by Pakistan-based entities and the recent release of a series of twenty postage stamps by Pakistan glorifying a terrorist and terrorism,” as cited by spokesperson Raveesh Kumar.
“Now, it is obvious that behind Pakistan’s proposal for talks to make a fresh beginning, the evil agenda of Pakistan stands exposed and the true face of the new Prime Minister of Pakistan, Imran Khan, has been revealed to the world in his first few months in office. Any conversation with Pakistan in such an environment would be meaningless,” fueled Kumar.
#WATCH: MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar says, "It's obvious that behind Pakistan's proposal for talks to make a fresh beginning, evil agenda of Pakistan stands exposed & true face of new Prime Minister of Pakistan has been revealed to world in his first few months in the office" pic.twitter.com/e25STpUlTh
— ANI (@ANI) September 21, 2018
Pakistan was “deeply disappointed” by this backtrack and according to the government’s spokesperson, the reasons given by India for the cancellation of the meeting “are entirely unconvincing”.
The press release also emphasized that the so-called ‘disturbing developments’ referred to in the Indian statement i.e., killing of an Indian BSF personnel, predated the agreement to hold the bilateral meeting.
The statement also mentioned that Pakistani Rangers had assured non-participation to the Indian security officials and offered help in locating the dead body.
“Pakistan takes this opportunity to categorically reject these allegations once again. Our authorities would be prepared to conduct a joint investigation to establish the truth,” stated the Foreign Office.
Foreign Minister, Shah Mehmood Qureshi, had previously talked about dialogue being the only way forward for ties between Pakistan and India. He had mentioned being hopeful about thawing relations between the arch-foes, following PM Imran Khan’s election victory.
Upon this hiccup, the news agency of PTI quoted Qureshi, ““It is unfortunate that India has not given a positive response. India has once again wasted an opportunity for peace. The refusal of India shows the Indian government is facing internal pressure. It seems that India is already preparing for its elections due in the country next year.”
People took to Twitter, sharing their disapproval for this failed attempt at peace-making.
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
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
PM Imran Khan landed the final blow by proclaiming, “All my life I have come across small men occupying big offices who do not have the vision to see the larger picture.”
Disappointed at the arrogant & negative response by India to my call for resumption of the peace dialogue. However, all my life I have come across small men occupying big offices who do not have the vision to see the larger picture.
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) September 22, 2018
