ISLAMABAD: Adviser to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs and National Security Sartaj Aziz on Thursday said United State’s defence cooperation with India was enhancing imbalance in South Asia, adding that Pakistan’s reservations in this regard have been conveyed to the Unites States, Radio Pakistan reported.
Sartaj Aziz said Pakistan had also conveyed to the United States that conventional and non-conventional imbalance in South Asia should be considered while entering into any sort of defence cooperation with India.
“It is becoming clear that America is preparing India to reduce the influence of China in the region.”
“Pakistan’s cooperation with China is development-oriented and India has no business objecting to it. Pakistan is fully capable of safeguarding its interests and sovereignty.”
The adviser on foreign affairs made it clear that whenever dialogue with India resumes, the two countries will discuss all issues including the core issue of Jammu and Kashmir.
“There can be talks on all issues but no issue would be discussed in isolation on India’s demand.”
Aziz said for the first time ever Pakistan has prepared a “formal dossier regarding Indian interference in Pakistan” which would be taken to the United Nations for presentation.
“India accuses non-state actors from Pakistan of meddling in Indian affairs. But Indian state actors are interfering in Pakistan.”
The adviser said Pakistan will highlight the Kashmir issue at the United Nations and other forums, adding that bilateralism envisaged in the Shimla Agreement failed to achieve any progress.
Similarly, he said, Pakistan had conveyed to India it will not entertain Indian objections to meetings with Kashmiri leaders because “Kashmiris are genuine stakeholders in the dispute.”
The adviser said Pakistan would not ask India for any meeting during the prime minister’s visit to the United Nations.
“It was New Delhi which cancelled talks between national security advisers of the two countries. So it is on India to initiate the process.”
Responding to points raised by some members, Sataj Aziz said that during the recent meeting between the director generals of Pakistani Rangers and the Indian Border Security Force (BSF), the two sides agreed to discuss ceasefire violations on the Working Boundary.
“Now India is resorting to violations on the Line of Control and is using the pretext of infiltration for its cross-LoC firing.” Agencies
