‘BJP’s extremist policies threat for regional peace’, Qureshi tells Canadian counterpart

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Thursday said that India's ruling party Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) "extremist policies are posing threat to regional peace and stability".

He expressed these remarks during a telephonic conversation with his newly-elected Canadian counterpart Mélanie Joly. Qureshi congratulated Joly on her appointment as Canada’s foreign minister and hoped that ties between Pakistan and Canada would further strengthen and widen during her tenure. During the call, bilateral and regional issues were discussed.

FM Qureshi stressed that Pakistan wanted to pursue policies of peace and economic development in the region and apprised the Canadian counterpart about the dangers that BJP’s extremist policies are posing to regional peace and stability.

"Under the Hindutva-inspired BJP-RSS dispensation in New Delhi, space for minorities particularly Muslims and Christians is continuously shrinking in India," he added.

He underlined that a large and strong Pakistani community in Canada is an essential part of the Canadian economy and social fabric. Underscoring that Pakistan is making vigorous efforts to harness the imperatives of geo-economics and human development, the foreign minister emphasised that Pakistan and Canada must deepen their engagement in the investment, trade, and financial sectors.

FM Qureshi also stressed the significance of a peaceful and stable Afghanistan for regional security and hoped that the global community will avoid making mistakes of the 1990s.

Read more: Javed Akhtar compares Hindu right-wing to Taliban, irks BJP

Regarding the special session of OIC Foreign Ministers on Afghanistan held last month in Islamabad, FM Qureshi apprised his counterpart about the unanimous resolution adopted by OIC CFM calling unequivocally for all possible humanitarian assistance for Afghanistan.

He underscored the urgent priority of addressing the dire humanitarian needs and ensuring economic stability in Afghanistan. He also welcomed Canada’s humanitarian aid for Afghanistan worth 56 million Canadian dollars.

Also read: Violence in Delhi rising as Modi’s party opposes construction of Hajj House

He also informed FM Joly about Pakistan’s in-kind humanitarian assistance package of US$30 million, for Afghanistan, including food items and medicines.

In the global context, the foreign minister said that Pakistan’s belief that the main driver in international relations should be cooperation, not confrontation, and win-win solutions.

The two foreign ministers also resolved to further deepen bilateral cooperation and coordination in areas of mutual interests.