Pakistan

British PM, in India, sparks 'terror' row with Pakistan

British Prime Minister David Cameron was mired in a diplomatic row with Islamabad on Thursday.

Afp July 29, 2010

NEW DEHLI: British Prime Minister David Cameron was mired in a diplomatic row with Islamabad on Thursday, over comments made on a trade-driven trip to India about the "export of terror" from Pakistan.

Pakistan's ambassador to Britain accused Cameron of "damaging the prospects of regional peace" with his remarks on Wednesday in the southern Indian IT hub of Bangalore.

Asked about regional security issues, the prime minister responded with a warning to India's arch-rival against becoming a haven for militant groups.

"We cannot tolerate in any sense the idea that this country (Pakistan) is allowed to look both ways and is able, in any way, to promote the export of terror, whether to India or whether to Afghanistan or anywhere else in the world," he said.

The comments were gleefully splashed on the front page of every major newspaper in India, which has long accused Pakistan of harbouring and abetting groups such as Lashkar-e-Taiba.

"We should be very, very clear with Pakistan that we want to see a strong, stable and democratic Pakistan," Cameron said.

"It should be a relationship based on a very clear message: that it is not right to have any relationship with groups that are promoting terror."

Back in London, Pakistani High Commissioner Wajid Shamsul Hasan voiced his government's deep disappointment, saying Cameron had chosen to ignore Pakistan's "enormous role" in the war on terror.

"He seems to be more reliant on information based on intelligence leaks, despite it lacking credibility or corroborating proof," said Hasan, writing to The Guardian newspaper.

"A bilateral visit aimed at attracting business could have been conducted without damaging the prospects of regional peace," he added.

There was no immediate comment Thursday from the government in Islamabad.

The issue of South Asian regional security, including Pakistan and Afghanistan, is sure to be raised again when Cameron holds talks Thursday with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Foreign Minister S.M. Krishna.

But Cameron will be keen to keep his two-day visit focused on its main purpose: Britain's drive to take bilateral trade and economic ties with the former jewel in its colonial crown to a new level.

Cameron is heading the largest British delegation to travel to India in recent memory, including a host of senior cabinet ministers and corporate bigwigs.

Pakistan foreign office responds

In response to the Cameron's statements, Pakistan's Foreign Office Spokesman Abdul Basit said that Pakistan expresses sadness over the British prime minister's allegation against Pakistan of exporting terrorism.

While addressing a press conference at the foreign office, he said Pakistan's ambassordor to Afghanistan has been asked to seek clarification over the statement of Hamid Karzai on the same subject.

Abdul Basit observed that the British prime minister's statement is based on the reports of Wiki Leaks which are self serving and baseless.

He added that the world acknowledges the sacrifices made by Pakistan which is rendering these sacrifices for its own well being.

COMMENTS (7)

Mr. Chaudhry | 13 years ago | Reply It is very inscrutable and strange that during the Russian occupation of Afghanistan, US and its allies provided all kind of resources to train the militants for waging a war against Russia.US named it JEHAD (Holy War) and promoted it vehemently by enticing and attracting many youths with impressionable minds from various islamic countries for getting training for taking part in JEHAD and embracing martyredome and facilitated various campaigns for teaching the Muslims that Jehad is the most rewarding deed and muslims should take part in it to earn great reward from Allah Almighty.US spent dollars and provided latest weaponry while muslim youths lost their lives to win this war. Thus the militants defeated the Russian occupational forces in Afghanistan with the help of US and other Western countries.Benefits reaped by the US becoming as sole super power and Europe too through averting the risk of communism. Immediately after Russia's defeat, US and its allies turned a blind eye to Afghanistan and left this infesting wound unattended and embroiled in internal strife among the various warlords to get the rein of power. The capitalism only was celebrating its victory over communism, beacuse it was a great achievement, as US and Europe were unable to defeat Russia in a direct conflict. Now, they brand Jehad as Terrorism and Mujahideen as terrorists an accuse Pakistan as being the responsible of all this violence and devastation.Why they forget their own role in destruction of peace in this region. Why, once the US President Ronald Reagon, with some Afghani warlords or Mujahideen leaders, held a meeting in Washington and showered parise on them in such a manner: "After George Washington, they are truly serving the US". The men whose services once were on par with George Washington"s now are the terrorists and only Pakistan, THE COUNTRY THAT SUFFERED THE MOST IN WAR ON TERRRISM, is responsible for all this. IS IT NOT A STRANGE THINKING?????????

ADNAN AHMED HASHMI | 13 years ago | Reply Just imagine,what if Musharraf was the President and not Zardari,things would have been much different,he would have never compromised on DIGNITY FOR HIS COUNTRY..!!!