Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Vikas Swarup on Sunday appeared to have had it with Pakistan’s continued meddling in the Kashmir issue, responding strongly to its offer of sending help in the form of supplies to the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
Replying to Pakistan’s official communiqué to the Indian envoy in Islamabad, Swarup on Sunday slammed Pakistan for poking its nose into India’s business, saying that India “completely and categorically” rejects Pakistan’s offer to send help to the Valley.
Calling the idea “absurd”, the MEA quipped that India and other countries in the region had already received “enough of Pakistan’s trademark exports – like international terrorism, cross border infiltrators, weapons, narcotics and fake currency.”
MEA Ready for Dialogue, If...
Earlier on Saturday, the MEA had slammed Pakistan for its continued support for terrorism in the Valley.
Responding to another communiqué by the Pakistan Foreign Ministry, Swarup said that India was open to a dialogue if it was on ‘contemporary and relevant’ issues, like Pakistan stopping support for cross-border terrorism, and putting an end to sending in terrorists like Bahadur Ali.
Taking on Pakistan for “parading” wanted terrorists like Hafiz Saeed and Syed Salahuddin, Swarup called on Pakistan for a sincere follow-up on the Mumbai and Pathankot terror attacks.
India-Pakistan ties have been on edge since 8 July after large scale violence broke out in the valley following the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani by Indian security forces.
On 25 July, Indian authorities arrested Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorist Bahadur Ali in Jammu and Kashmir, who officials said had snuck in from Pakistan.
Indian Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar summoned Pakistani High Commissioner Abdul Basit on 9 August and issued a strongly worded demarche protesting against cross-border terrorism from Pakistan.
Earlier on Sunday, Pakistan’s envoy to India, Abdul Basit in a statement had said that Pakistan dedicates its Independence day to Kashmir’s freedom. He also urged Kashmiris to continue the “fight” till the Valley “attains freedom”.
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)