FO rejects unwarranted references to Pakistan in US-India joint statement

The Foreign Office on Tuesday strongly rejected the unwarranted references to the country in the Joint Statement of US-India Counter-Terrorism Joint Working Group and Designations Dialogue.

FO Spokesperson Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri said our serious concerns and rejection of the unacceptable reference to Pakistan in the afore-mentioned Joint Statement have been conveyed to the US side.

"It is important that partner countries take an objective 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 said.

The spokesperson added the international community is well-aware that Pakistan is a country most affected by cross-border terrorism, sponsored and supported by India.

The international community also recognizses Pakistan's efforts, sacrifices and successes in the fight against terrorism, Spokesperson Chaudhri said.

"Pakistan has repeatedly underlined that peace and stability in South Asia are threatened by the irresponsible policies and actions of the RSS-BJP regime in India - including towards its minorities, its state-terrorism in IIOJK, and its belligerence against Pakistan and other countries in the region," the spokesperson added.

Chaudhri added that the international community must urge India to reverse course and desist from playing a role detrimental to regional peace and stability.