Peace priority: India suspended talks on ‘frivolous pretext’, says PM

Says Delhi failed to respond to Islamabad’s desire for better ties

ISLAMABAD:

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has said that India suspended peace talks with Pakistan on a ‘frivolous pretext’, adding that New Delhi has failed to respond to Islamabad’s desire for good relations between the two neighbours.

“Our desire for good neighbourly relations with India has not been reciprocated,” he said in an interview with the Saudi Gazette. “There is no sign of India desiring resumption of dialogue with us,” he added.

Premier Nawaz made improving relations with India a priority when he swept to power for a third time in the 2013 general election.

He also said his acceptance of an invitation last May to attend Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s swearing-in ceremony was ‘an exceptional decision’. But months later, New Delhi withdrew from talks after Pakistan’s ambassador in India met Kashmiri leaders.

Premier Nawaz said Pakistan was ready for “constructive dialogue for negotiated settlement of all issues, including the issue of Jammu and Kashmir”.

Investment, not loan

Premier Nawaz clarified that the recent billions of dollars investment from China was not a loan. “This is not a long-term grant or a loan. It is all for investment purposes which will benefit the country as a whole,” he told media persons in London on Wednesday.

On his recent visit to Pakistan, Chinese President Xi Jinping launched energy and infrastructure projects worth $46 billion.

The prime minister expressed gratitude for the investment into the country and reiterated the importance of the country’s relationship with China. “Roads will be built, there is a lot of development in Gwadar and the country as a whole will reap the benefits of these projects,” he said.

Commenting on the recent death of prominent rights activist Sabeen Mahmud, Premier Nawaz insisted that every effort was being made to find the culprits behind her murder. “Every effort is being made to investigate the incident and God willing, the culprits will be found and brought to justice,” he added.

Moreover, while mentioning the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz success in the recent local government elections in cantonment areas, he said:  “This win was great for the PML-N,” adding that such a win in the general elections would also be great for the party.

Replying to a question on the alleged rigging in the 2013 elections and the judicial commission’s probe, the premier said the evidence regarding rigging was present in the ballot bags. “They wanted to open the bags and they did. In Lahore, our votes in fact increased,” he said. 

Published in The Express Tribune, April 30^th, 2015.