Adviser to the Prime Minister on National Security and Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz on Tuesday rejected the Indian concerns with regards to China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and asked New Delhi to refrain from commenting on its bilateral relations with other countries.
"It should be made clear that Pakistan and China enjoys exemplary relations. Pakistan maintains a policy of non-interference in other countries'' bilateral relations and expects the same from others to refrain from commenting on Pakistan''s bilateral relations with other countries," the Adviser said while reacting to Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj''s statement on CPEC projects.
He also endorsed the statement of spokesperson of the Chinese Foreign Ministry who stated, "China-Pakistan Economic Corridor is a major Co-operation Framework between the two countries and is not against any third party". The Adviser said that he was rather surprised by the Indian EAM''s remarks on CPEC projects that it is ''not acceptable,'' adding the mega project is all about regional connectivity and economic uplift and prosperity of the common people belonging to the entire region.
He said that there is dichotomy in the Indian statements on their pronouncements on the importance of regional connectivity for development and their negative comments about CPEC. Referring to the "principle" of creating an atmosphere of harmony, free of terror and violence, Aziz said that peace is multi-dimensional process. "When India keeps violating ceasefire at the Line of Control and the Working Boundary, indulges in worst human rights violations against helpless Kashmiris in Indian occupied Kashmir, and undertakes subversive activities in Pakistan, then asking Pakistan to create an environment free of violence only sounds ironical," he added.
In this context, he referred to the recent articulation of Indian policy by Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, saying the statement confirmed Pakistan''s apprehensions regarding Indian involvement in terrorism in Pakistan. He pointed out that Pakistan is most affected by terrorism and has sacrificed thousands of lives in its counter-terrorism campaign. "Terrorism is thus a common challenge, and fighting this menace requires collective efforts," he added.
As regards the Mumbai trial, he said that it is proceeding in the court of law. "Indian concern over slow progress calls into question their own reluctance to cooperate by not allowing the Judicial Commission''s visit to India until September 2013," he said, adding Pakistan has its concerns too. He added that the information about the trial of Indian Military''s active service officer named by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) member Swami Aseemanand, who was the mastermind, has not been shared. "Scores of Pakistanis lost their lives in the Samjhota terrorist incident. Samjhota happened two years earlier than Mumbai attacks. The victims'' families are still waiting for justice," the Adviser added.
However, Aziz said that Pakistan wants improved relations with all its neighbours including India, adding it was in this spirit that the Prime Minister attended the oath taking ceremony of Prime Minister Modi in New Delhi on May 26, 2014. The primary objective of this vision is economic development of the region, he added. He said that Pakistan''s policy all along has been that all outstanding disputes, particularly the dispute of Jammu and Kashmir should be resolved through dialogue. "Pakistan has conveyed to India that it remains committed to dialogue, provided India is ready. Pakistan believes in sustained, comprehensive and result-oriented dialogue," he added. Aziz further said that Pakistan also believes that the people of Jammu and Kashmir are important stakeholders in the final resolution of the Kashmir dispute since they have yet to exercise their right to self-determination as enshrined in numerous UN Resolutions.
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