Pakistan's attempts to legitimise terrorism will not be tolerated- Indian EAM

Panjim: During the SCO meeting, India raised the issue of terrorism, on which Pakistan was not happy. Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto expressed hope that the issue of terrorism will not be used as a political weapon. At the same time, he tried to gain sympathy by stating that Pakistan is also a victim of terrorism. However, Indian External Affairs Minister rebutted Pakistan that victims of terrorism do not engage in dialogue with terrorists, while the appeal not to use terrorism as a political weapon is an indirect demand to tolerate terrorism which can be legitimised. This India will not tolerate.

Dr S Jaishankar strongly demanded at the SCO for action against terrorism and cut off sources of financing terrorists. Pakistan’s Foreign Minister appealed to not use terrorism as a political weapon to settle grudges. As expected by many, Pakistan raised the topic of Kashmir and the abrogation of the special status of Kashmir under Article 370. However, the Indian External Affairs Minister gave a befitting reply.

Dr S Jaishankar said Pakistan should wake up and move on as Article 370 is now history. Pakistan has nothing to do with the issue of Kashmir. The only discussion point left is the illegal Pakistan-occupied part of Kashmir (POK). He further said that Pakistan’s demand to India not to set aside the terrorism issue and engage in diplomatic dialogue is like legitimising terrorism, which India will never tolerate. Dr S Jaishankar called out Pakistan for unconsciously having a mindset to accepting terrorism as a common issue. Dr Jaishankar made it very clear that dialogue between the two countries soon is impossible.

External Affairs Minister Jaishankar had already announced that bilateral talks with Pakistan are impossible in this SCO meeting. By doing so, India has given a strong message to Pakistan. That is why some people in Pakistan demanded that Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto not go to India. Pakistani analysts were concerned that India’s External Affairs Minister would humiliate Pakistan during the meeting citing terrorism. The speculation came true during the SCO meeting held on Friday.