Trump, Modi's joint statement aggravates tense regional situation: FO

ISLAMABAD: The Foreign Office on Wednesday termed the joint statement released by the White House, after a meeting of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Trump, as unhelpful and said it aggravates an already tense situation.

“By failing to address key sources of tension and instability in the region, the statement aggravates an already tense situation,” said Nafees Zakaria, spokesperson for the Foreign Office (FO).

The FO also said the meeting between the two leaders was a missed opportunity to have India alter its policies which are hostile and conducive to bringing peace in the region.

“India’s persistent gross human rights violations in Kashmir and state backed persecution of religious minorities in India need to be replaced by respect for basic human dignity, protection of life, property and freedom of speech,” said the FO spokesperson.

“Democratic stewardship, as claimed in the statement, demands that as a minimum.”

'Accentuate military imbalances'

Pakistan also expressed concern over the sale of advanced military technology to India.

“Such sales accentuate military imbalances in the region and undermine strategic stability in South Asia.”

The spokesperson added that such a sale would further encourage India to adopt aggressive military doctrines and may even lead to military adventurism by India.

“Transfers of modern military hardware and technologies as well as repeated exceptions made for India have dis-incentivized India to engage in efforts to establish a strategic restraint regime and a durable security architecture in the region,” added Zakaria.

Zakaria said that Pakistan has been the primary victim of terrorism in region.

“Pakistan’s contributions and sacrifices in fighting terrorism are un-matched.”

The FO expressed its regret over India’s attempts to “appropriate a leadership role in the fight against terror” as it is responsible for “much of the terror unleashed in recent years in Pakistan”.

The statement added that India has supported the Tehreek-e-Taliban (TTP) as a proxy against Pakistan.

“India's culpability in creating this further source of regional insecurity cannot be ignored.”

Referring to Indian-occupied Kashmir, the spokesperson said that Pakistan believes in the legitimacy of the Kashmiri struggle and reiterated that the country is ready and committed to “resolve all outstanding disputes, especially Jammu and Kashmir, with India through peaceful means and in accordance with UN”.