'Victims of terrorism do not sit with perpetrators of terror...' Jaishankar's brutal takedown of Pakistan
By Team Newsable | First Published May 5, 2023, 7:24 PM ISTDuring the briefing, the external affairs minister also said that Jammu and Kashmir was, is and will always be part of India.
Hours after he accused India of using terrorism for diplomatic point-scoring, India’s foreign minister S Jaishankar lambasted his Pakistani counterpart Bilwal Bhutto Zardari and stated him as the promoter, justifier and spokesperson of terrorism in his country.
Before leaving for his home country – Pakistan, Bilawal Bhutto held a press conference with Pakistani journalists only and stated that most Pakistanis and most Indians want us to live in peace. “And peace is our destiny. Our generation will not be held hostage by history - we will create our own history.”
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When Jaishankar was asked about it, he replied that “Pakistan credibility is depleting faster than its forex reserve.”
“Victims of terrorism do not sit together with perpetrators of terrorism to discuss terrorism. Victims of terrorism defend themselves, counter acts of terrorism, they call it out, they legitimise it and that is exactly what is happening. To come here & preach these hypocritical words as though we are on the same boat.”
“They are committing acts of terrorism. I don't want to jump the gun on what happened today but we are all feeling equally outraged. On this matter, the terrorism matter, I would say that Pakistan's credibility is depleting faster than even its Forex reserves.” Jaishankar said.
It must be mentioned here that Kashmir will be hosting the G20 Tourism Group meeting from May 22-24.
Bhutto said: “Humlog aisa sabak sikhayenge ki yaad rakhenge (We will teach them a lesson that they will always remember).”
In reply, Jaishankar said: “Pakistan has nothing to do with G20 and I also said that they have also nothing to do with Srinagar. There is only one issue to discuss on Kashmir which is when will Pakistan give back Pakistan Occupied Kashmir. That is the only issue up for discussion.”
On Bhutto’s visit to India and the possibility of ties between two countries, the Indian foreign minister said: “As a Foreign Minister of an SCO member state, Mr Bhutto Zardari was treated accordingly. As a promoter, justifier and I am sorry to say that spokesperson of a terrorism industry which is the mainstay of Pakistan, his positions were called out and countered including at the SCO meeting itself.”
“He came here as the Foreign Minister of an SCO Member State. That is part of multilateral diplomacy. Don't see it as anything more than that. I think that nothing from what he said or what I heard he said deserves for this to be treated more than that,” he added.
In his opening remark at the SCO Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has indirectly suggested India “not get caught up in weaponising terrorism for diplomatic point-scoring.”
“It’s an interesting statement. Because it unconsciously reveals the mindset. What does weaponising something means? It means that the activity is legitimate and somebody is weaponising. So you say you are weaponising trade, or technology. Somebody is saying you are weaponising terrorism that means you think terrorism is legitimate… we are countering terrorism, we are defending ourselves and we are calling it out and we are exposing … We are politically and diplomatically exposing Pakistan,” Jaishankar said.
Jaishankar also rapped him for bringing Article 370 issue and blaming it as the reason behind the fallout between two neigbouring countries.
“Article 370 is history. Wake up and smell the coffee," Jaishankar said.
After 2011, he was the first Pakistan foreign minister to visit India. Prior to him, Heena Rabbani Khar visited New Delhi 12 years ago. However, Pakistan’s foreign affairs advisor Sartaj Aziz had visited India in December 2016.
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