Joint Japan-India statement: Pakistan rejects unwarranted reference about cross-border terrorism

Pakistan on Monday categorically rejected the 'gratuitous and completely unwarranted' reference given in 'Japan-India Joint Statement' about the alleged "cross-border terrorism" and also conveyed its serious concerns to Tokyo.

"We categorically reject the reference to Pakistan in the Japan-India Joint Statement issued in New Delhi on 30 November 2019. This reference is gratuitous and completely unwarranted," Foreign Office Spokesperson Dr Mohammad Faisal said while commenting on the references to Pakistan in the joint statement, issued after the first Japan-India 2+2 Foreign and Defence Ministerial Meeting.

"India's animus towards Pakistan and its smear campaign in the context of alleged "cross-border terrorism" are well-known to the world," Dr Faisal said, adding that among other things, these are part of a longstanding design to divert the world's attention from India's illegal actions and gross and systematic violations of human rights in Indian-occupied Jammu and Kashmir.

He also asserted that India's relentless attempts to politicize the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) proceedings are also in the knowledge of the international community, including the broader FATF membership. "We will continue to firmly counter the Indian smear and propaganda," he added.

Dr Faisal further stated that Pakistan's serious concerns and rejection of the unacceptable reference to Pakistan in the Japan-India Joint Statement have been conveyed to the Japanese side through diplomatic channels.

"It is important that partner countries take an objective and balanced view of the issues of peace and security in South Asia and refrain from endorsing positions that are one-sided and divorced from ground realities," he added.

In reference to Pakistan, the 'Japan-India Joint Statement' stated: "The ministers condemned in the strongest terms the growing threat of terrorism and acknowledged that it constituted a major threat to peace and security in the region. The ministers called upon all countries to take resolute action in rooting out terrorist safe havens and infrastructure, disrupting terrorist networks and eliminating financing channels and halting cross-border movement of terrorists.

The ministers underlined the need for all countries to ensure that all territory under their control is not used to launch terrorist attacks on other countries in any manner. They noted in this context the threat posed to regional security by terrorist networks operating out of Pakistan and called upon it to take resolute and irreversible action against them and fully comply with international commitments including to FATF.

The ministers emphasized the need for stronger international partnership in countering terrorism and violent extremism, including through increased sharing of information and intelligence."

Copyright Business Recorder, 2019