BEIJING: Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Wednesday urged the Indian leadership to change obsolete mindset, adopt a realistic approach and come to the negotiating table for the sake of peace and stability in South Asia.
“Pakistan and India have no other option but to hold dialogue as both the countries are nuclear powers and they cannot afford war,” he said while talking to Pakistani journalists at the end of his three-day visit to China. He observed that millions of people in the two countries are living below the poverty line, and asked the Indian leaders to change their old mindset as the world is changing at a very fast pace.
Qureshi said India is reluctant to sit across the negotiating table with Pakistan in view of the forthcoming general elections, “but Pakistan can wait and is prepared to engage with the new government after Indian elections.” Pakistan, he said, wants peace but will not compromise on its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
About opening of Kartarpur Corridor, the foreign minister said the world community has acknowledged and appreciated Pakistan’s initiative and now this step is being termed as ‘Kartarpur spirit’. He hoped that all the modalities will be finalized during the next meeting of the officials of Pakistan and India on April 2 and the Sikh pilgrims from across the globe will be able to participate in the 550th birth anniversary of their religious leader.
The foreign minister criticized the Indian leadership for excluding words ‘Muslim’ or ‘mosque’ from their condemnation against terror attacks at two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand, where more than 50 Muslims were martyred.
He also lamented the way the Kashmiri students were attacked and expelled from the Indian universities after Pulwama incident, and said the minorities are living with complete harmony and without any hatred in Pakistan.
Acknowledging the role of China during the recent escalation with India and the listing issue at UN Security Council, he said that China has once again proved that it is an all-weather and time-tested friend of Pakistan. “Our confidence into our strategic partner has increased manifold,” he said.
Responding to a question about foreign direct investment, Qureshi said the government has removed all the bottlenecks and if an investor has a complaint, he can directly approach him.
He said the government is committed to providing security to the Chinese investors in Pakistan and added that the mastermind behind Karachi consulate attack has been unmasked and culprits involved in this crime have been arrested.
Regarding new visa system, he said this step will help promote tourism in the country and pointed out that owing to open-up policy, around 175 countries will benefit from the .system
Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi met Member of Politburo and Director of Central Foreign Affairs Commission Office of the Communist Party of China Yang Jiechi and had an in-depth exchange of views on bilateral relations and regional and global issues.
Yang Jiechi appreciated Pakistan’s role in combating terrorism and its efforts for regional peace, especially in South Asia. He also appreciated Pakistan’s support for reconciliation efforts in Afghanistan.
The foreign minister expressed satisfaction over the deliberations in the first strategic dialogue between Pakistan and China, reflecting complete convergence of views on issues of mutual interest. He lauded Chinese consistent support for Pakistan’s sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity.
