Pakistan urges India to foster meaningful dialogue on Kashmir, warns against unilateral actions
Islamabad: Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Ishaq Dar, has reaffirmed his country’s commitment to fostering good relations with India based on mutual respect, sovereign equality, and a peaceful resolution of the Kashmir dispute, while rejecting unilateral approaches and hegemony.
According to Kashmir Media Service, speaking at the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad, today, Ishaq Dar emphasized Pakistan’s dedication to peaceful, cooperative, and neighborly relations with all countries. He underscored the importance of dialogue, avoiding bloc politics, and adhering to the UN Charter.
Dar highlighted Pakistan’s focus on economic development and regional peace, particularly with Afghanistan and India, advocating for stability in South Asia. “We will maintain strategic stability in South Asia and respond decisively to any ill-considered military actions by the Hindutva-driven government in New Delhi,” he asserted.
Regarding the BJP-led NDA government’s new term in India, Dar called for reflection on India-Pakistan relations and regional issues. He criticized India’s unilateral actions on August 5, 2019, in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, stating they harmed bilateral relations.
The Deputy PM urged India to foster an environment conducive to meaningful dialogue, end its smear campaign, cease state-sponsored terrorism in Pakistan, and take concrete steps towards positive relations.
He noted that South Asian nations must address poverty and low human development rankings and lamented the stalled progress of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation due to one member state’s obstinacy.
