Diplomatic note: Rajnath’s statements ‘violate international diplomatic norms

ISLAMABAD: The Foreign Office on Thursday described as absurd the recent remarks of the Indian Home Minister in which he threatened to break Pakistan into ‘10 pieces’, saying his assertion proved beyond doubt India’s “involvement behind terrorism” in the country.

“We strongly condemn the absurd remarks of the Indian home minister which are in complete violation of all diplomatic norms, the UN Charter and other international instruments, guaranteeing sovereignty and territorial integrity of states,” said Foreign Office Spokesperson Nafees Zakria at his weekly briefing.

Rajnath Singh had accused Pakistan of “trying to destabilise India by encouraging terrorism”, a charge Islamabad has repeatedly rejected.

Zakria said such remarks vindicated Pakistan’s long-standing position that the Indian government and its intelligence agencies were involved in “subversive and terrorist activities and terror financing in Pakistan to fuel tension and destabilise the country.”

“The international community must take notice of such irresponsible statements and Indian-sponsored terrorism in Pakistan,” he demanded.

The spokesperson said Afghanistan needed to send positive signals to the Taliban, inviting them to join the peace process along with necessary incentives.

“In our view, an Afghan-owned and Afghan-led process is the best way and not the military option,” Zakria added.

He insisted that Pakistan believes that ‘the most apt way to move forward in this regard is serious talks between Afghan government and the Taliban.’

Published in The Express Tribune, December 16^th, 2016.