Internal Politics, Anti-Pakistan Narrative Barred Modi From Inviting Imran At Oath-taking: Shah Mahmood Qureshi

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi Monday said India had not invited Prime Minister Imran Khan at Indian Premier Narendra Modi's swearing in ceremony just to evade the opposition's criticism on any sudden deviation from his anti-Pakistan narrative

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 27th May, 2019 ) :Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi Monday said India had not invited Prime Minister Imran Khan at Indian Premier Narendra Modi's swearing in ceremony just to evade the opposition's criticism on any sudden deviation from his anti-Pakistan narrative.

Talking to a private television channel, the foreign minister said Narendra Modi had contested the election by playing the anti-Pakistan card and provoking the narrative of nationalism.

Therefore, he said, it was not possible for him (Modi) to suddenly give up that narrative to invite the criticism from the opposition. Because the pendulum had swung to one side, it would take some time to get back, he remarked.

"But, it never means that he would not look for any other course in the near future. Looking for a new course is their compulsion too," he said.

Secondly, he said it would have been of no use even if Imran Khan had attended the oath-taking because only the dialogue on real issues including Kashmir, water and Sir Creek could bring in some positive outcomes.

He said Pakistan had constantly been pursuing the stance of desiring peace and resolution of issues through dialogue without resorting to any belligerence.

He questioned as what solution BJP had for worsening situation in Indian occupied Kashmir. A coalition of civil society of IoK had published a 560-page report making the shocking revelations including the human rights violations and atrocities.

To a question whether he was hopeful of Modi to get back to the narrative of peace and dialogue, the foreign minister said if he (Modi) wanted regional progress, development of South Asia and activation of SAARC as an organization, this was possible only through resolution of issues with Pakistan through dialogue.

He said it was in Pakistan's interest to diffuse tensions as the country had never created any tension.

"The whole world agrees that Pakistan had nothing to do with Pulwama incident. They (India) had blamed Pakistan baselessly and as a knee-jerk reaction which they are not able to prove," the foreign minister said.

Regarding his interaction with the Iranian Foreign Minister during the latter's visit to Pakistan, he said the former had explained the Iranian position and Pakistan had also shared its concerns. Pakistan never wanted any escalation of tension because the region could afford no more war.

He said the region had faced devastation consequent to the situation in Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria and Libya besides an uncertainly prevailing across the middle East.

Therefore, escalation of any new tension in the region would destabilize the whole region what Pakistan never desired. Pakistan would desire the peaceful resolution of the issues through diplomatic negotiations as war could not be the solution to any problem.