On the occasion of their Independence Day, I convey my greetings to the people of Pakistan.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 14, 2014
Despite a promising start in which Modi invited Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to his inauguration ceremony in New Delhi, relations between Pakistan and India have cooled of late after repeated clashes along the Line of Control, breaching the ceasefire long held in place.
Recently, Modi visited Kargil, the site of the conflict between the two rivals 15 years ago, where he claimed that Pakistan "continues to engage in the proxy war of terrorism.”
The Foreign Office responded to Modi's accusations as 'baseless rhetoric'. Pakistan Foreign Office Spokeswoman Tasnim Aslam said, "The press reports of Indian accusations, at the highest political level, are most unfortunate, especially as the leadership of Pakistan wishes to establish good neighbourly relations with India."
India celebrates its own 68th Independence Day tomorrow, the 15th.
COMMENTS (15)
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Our forces at the border are "commanded" to exchange sweets on important days such as Independence Day. Isn't that also exchanging mixed message?
Pakistan FO is quite justified to be upset as it may be aliens who are indulging in proxy war with India for many a decades. Rehman Malik has experienced their presence in Pakistan who can provide proof to India.
@saif: Main ji proxy war in J&K is a reality but its also reality that our forces have crushed the terrorist islam with iron fist.
@saif: My brother, proxy war is not stopped by Pakistan, it is quashed by Indian Army's presence in Kashmir. When proxy war will really stop, Indian army will move out of Kashmir and Kashmiris can live normal life under Indian democracy.
He is the Lego movie good-cop-bad-cop guy.
@Zen:
You must be having the time of your life living in long electricity outages. Or maybe Nawaz has already bought your soul for 10 rupees.
If Pakistan have been waging a proxy war in J&K then it wouldn't have been possible for modi to visit there. This proxy war has been halted long ago.
@Azi: No! Me thinks IK does.
There is no mixed message whatsoever. His speech in Kargill where he mentioned Pakistan in passing and mainly focused on development projects for J&K in general and Kargill in particular was mischaracterised as having been about Pakistan. It would have been extremely strange if he went to Kargill and did not pay homage to soldiers who sacrificed their lives there. http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=n4FrbCvjogk . While I am sure some words maybe difficult to understand, people shold be ale to listen and figure out most of what he said.
His message is clear. He wants to work towards peace and prosperity in the neighbourhood but will respond to aggression appropriately if forced on India.
What is so contradictory about the statements?
He was criticizing for supporting terrorism in India - which is a fact; and since today is Pakistan's Independence Day (again a fact); he is congratulating Pakistan on the occasion!
What's the problem with both the statements?
@Kolsat: Thanks bro! You really are a liaison Diplomat!
Mr. Mody is a demagogue.He only booms and puts his tail between his legs after booming.
@baby doll main sone di:
Had you real been following Pakistani politics more than just headlines you would know that current "democracy" is but a smoke screen for Nawaz's empire rule. Imran is bringing the true democracy. But then again expecting anything good from Indians is like asking a monkey to build a plane.
P.S. Any one else thinks modi is suffering from bi polar??
PM Modi did not blame Pakistan but merely was stating facts. By sending this message he is telling Pakistan that he has no ill will about it. May you have a trouble free future.
Pakistan which is celebrating independence by blocking every road and is about to loose democracy again.