Speaking at a press conference following the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) foreign ministers (FM) meeting in Goa, Indian External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar criticised Pakistan for supporting “cross-border terrorism.”
Jaishankar Locks Horns With Zardari
As Pakistani FM Bilawal Bhutto Zardari embarked on the first visit by a senior Pakistani official to India since 2014, the Indian EAM took the opportunity to highlight the underlying causes of strained bilateral relations.
Jaishankar took a veiled dig at Pakistan during his opening statement at the SCO, where he condemned and opposed all forms of cross-border terrorism and urged member states to crack down on it by blocking terror financing.
During the post-meeting press conference, the EAM called Zardari a “promoter, justifier, and […] spokesperson of a terrorism industry.” Jaishankar further claimed that the Pakistani FM’s positions were “called out” during his visit, including at the SCO meetings.
WATCH: #India's EAM, S. #Jaishankar, hints at #Pakistan's role in facilitating cross-border terrorism and calls on #SCO members to clamp down on terrorism and related funding in the region. #Kashmir #China #Russia pic.twitter.com/yqdTjlxD7V
— Statecraft (@statecraftdaily) May 5, 2023
Jaishankar further criticised Zardari for his comments and interview following the SCO, during which Zardari discussed “everything else pertaining to India,” but not the SCO meeting. In this regard, Jaishankar retorted, “What do I do as a host? If I have a guest who is a good guest, I am a good host.”
Pakistan’s Response
Meanwhile, Zardari criticised India for “weaponsing terrorism for diplomatic point scoring.” In his statement at the SCO, he recalled that his mother and former Pakistani PM Benazir Bhutto was killed during a terror attack. In this regard, he said that he speaks of terrorism not only as a foreign minister but also a victim’s family member.
The Pakistani FM added that the issue of terrorism must be separated from “geopolitical partisanship.” Moreover, he demanded that non-state actors’ actions be separated from state actors.
He also reiterated Islamabad’s “principled position” that India has been diluting Jammu and Kashmir’s rights, placing the onus to pave the way for friendly discussions on New Delhi.
WATCH: #Pakistan FM Bilawal #Bhutto Zardari says that #Islamabad is unwilling to hold bilateral talks with #India until #Kashmir's special status revocation is "reviewed." #Jaishankar #SCO #Terrorism pic.twitter.com/bzkHUliIDH
— Statecraft (@statecraftdaily) May 8, 2023
In response to these claims, Jaishankar noted that Bilawal had come to India to “preach these hypocritical words, as though we are on the same boat … I mean they are committing acts of terrorism.” The EAM additionally highlighted that Pakistan is losing credibility in the international community.
Jaishankar further dismissed speculation about discussions with his Pakistani counterparts, saying, “victims of terrorism do not sit together with perpetrators of terrorism to discuss terrorism.”
Nevertheless, before leaving India, Zardari appreciated Jaishankar for not letting bilateral issues affect the SCO meeting.