[August 18, 2016; New Delhi]

Question: Vikas, can you give us some clarity on Foreign Secretary’s visit to Islamabad? What is the agenda, will he talk on Kashmir, on terrorism? Is he going, need some clarity on that?

Official Spokesperson, Shri Vikas Swarup: Since, as you say, there is still some confusion on this issue, let me share with you what we have communicated to Pakistan.

In a letter dated August 16, Foreign Secretary has, first of all, underlined that Pakistan’s self-serving allegations made in their communication are rejected in their entirety by the Government of India. Pakistan has no locus standi in respect of Jammu & Kashmir, which is an integral part of our nation.

The world is aware that Pakistan has a long history of violence and terrorism against India, as also in the broader region. The Indian state of Jammu & Kashmir has been its particular target. This record began with the Government of Pakistan sending armed raiders into Jammu & Kashmir in 1947 and was repeated in 1965. More than three decades later, displaying a similar attitude, military personnel were infiltrated across the Line of Control in Kargil in 1999. This approach to India was reflected in support for terrorist activities in Jammu & Kashmir that continues to the present day. These acts were initially denied by the Government of Pakistan and attributed to the local population, only to be admitted later by Pakistan’s leaders who directed and organised such cross-border attacks on India, and assaults on the local people.

The Government of Pakistan is aware that the framework for interactions between India and Pakistan is stipulated by the Simla Agreement of July 1972, wherein President Zulfikar Ali Bhutto agreed that the two countries resolve to settle their differences by peaceful means through bilateral negotiations, as also the Lahore Declaration of February 1999 wherein Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif reiterated Pakistan’s determination to implement the Simla Agreement in letter and spirit. They are also based on the assurance given by President Musharraf in January 2004 that he will not permit any territory under Pakistan’s control to be used to support terrorism in any manner.

Keeping this in mind, Foreign Secretary conveyed that he accepts his counterpart’s invitation to visit Islamabad but made it clear that naturally, the discussions should focus first on the more pressing aspects of the Jammu & Kashmir situation that include:

(i) Cessation of cross-border terrorism by Pakistan aimed at Jammu & Kashmir.

(ii) Ending incitement to violence and terrorism from Pakistan in Jammu & Kashmir.

(iii) Detaining and prosecuting internationally recognised Pakistani terrorist leaders who have been publicly active recently in exhorting and supporting such violence in that state.

(iv) Closing down of Pakistani terrorist camps where terrorists such as Bahadur Ali, recently arrested in Jammu & Kashmir, continue to be trained.

(v) Denying safe haven, shelters and support to terrorists in Pakistan who have escaped Indian law.

Foreign Secretary also said that he looks forward to discussing with his counterpart the earliest possible vacation of Pakistan’s illegal occupation of the Indian state of Jammu & Kashmir.

Foreign Secretary also underlined the importance of bringing to justice all those guilty in Pakistan for the Mumbai terrorist attack of 2008 and Pathankot airbase attack. He said that his visit should provide the opportunity to receive a briefing from Pakistan’s Foreign Secretary on progress in this regard.

I hope this clarifies, in no uncertain terms, our response to Pakistan’s offer for talks.

Question: On Baluchistan issue, Tariq Fatemi, special assistant to Pakistan’s PM has commented yesterday. He has said that Prime Minister Modi’s statement has crossed the redline and could in fact set back the relations between India and Pakistan to no-repairable measure. Just half an hour back Nafeez Zakaria has held a press conference in Pakistan where he has said that Jeetendra Singh, MoS PMO, has been speaking about POK again and again, is only against the UN resolution on Kashmir. How do you react to this?

Official Spokesperson, Shri Vikas Swarup: You have referred to the redlines. I find this an extraordinary remark from a senior functionary of Pakistan that recognizes no red lines in the conduct of its own diplomacy. Pakistan’s record of cross-border terrorism and infiltration is at the heart of the problems in the region today. This is not just India’s view, you can ask some other countries in the region as well.

Question: Sir, last October you had said that India has always been home to persecuted people from all over the world. Now this 15th August, Prime Minister himself spoke about the support and love that he received from Baluchistan. Certain Baloch groups are seeking formal recognition from India. They are also talking about forming a government in exile with support from India. What would you say to them if they reach out to you?

Official Spokesperson, Shri Vikas Swarup: I think let us not jump the gun. First of all, let us understand the context in which the Prime Minister made the comments that you are referring to.

Several people from Balochistan and Pakistan Occupied Kashmir, including Gilgit Baltistan, had messaged him, had been writing to him following his comments at the All Party Meeting on 12th of August in which he had flagged the atrocities being committed on the people of Balochistan.

Prime Minister had been thanked by these people for flagging their cause in the All Party Meeting, which represents all political segments in India. Prime Minister was sufficiently moved by these messages of gratitude to share it with the people of India at his Independence Day address.

As far as the next course of action is concerned, the Prime Minister also gave certain instructions, as you know, in the All Party Meeting. How those instructions will be implemented, at this stage, I cannot share with you. However, MEA will do what it has to do because, after all, the people of Pakistan Occupied Kashmir are also our people.

Question: Friday ko jab All Party Meeting hui thi, usmein Prime Minister ne jab Baluchistan ka jikra kiya tha, uske baad mein Arun Jaitley ji aur Rajnath Singh ji ki jo press conference hui, usmein unhone kaha ki Baluchistan ka issue uthane ke baad uska jo external impact hoga woh MEA elaborate karega. Toh ye jo hum log Baluchistan ka issue utha rahe hain, uska external impact kya hoga, usko aap elaborate karenge?

Official Spokesperson, Shri Vikas Swarup: Unhone ye nahi kaha tha ki MEA kab elaborate karega. Toh jab MEA ko elaborate karne ke liye kuch hoga, tab hum elaborate karenge.

See, diplomacy is not instantaneous, it’s not instant noodles.

Question: Pakistan has denied permission to UNHRC team to visit POK. What is your reaction to that?

Official Spokesperson, Shri Vikas Swarup: You would have already seen the press release that was issued by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights on August 17 in which he has expressed regret the he has not been granted access to Pakistan Occupied Kashmir and to the Indian state of Jammu & Kashmir. This was in the context of the requests from UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Prince Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein to India and Pakistan for visits from his Office to J&K and POK respectively to ascertain the human rights situation.

As far as our position is concerned, first of all, we have engaged very constructively with the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights in Geneva. We have also pointed out the correct picture to him of developments in Jammu & Kashmir and also how institutions of India which includes our judiciary, our vibrant press, our active civil society, our very active Parliament, all these institutions have already kicked-in in order to bring normalcy to the state of Jammu & Kashmir as early as possible despite the continuing provocation, infiltration and support to terrorism from across our borders. We have highlighted the central role of cross-border terrorism and its glorification in the violent protests in J&K.

We will continue to encourage the international community to uphold promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms in the parts of J&K under illegal occupation of Pakistan, where as you know, people have been denied their basic freedoms, and hold the concerned accountable for their violation.

Question: NIA ne abhi Jammu Kashmir mein kuch terrorist case ke investigation ke dauran ye paya hai ki Pakistan bahut saare aise terrorist se sambandhit jo log hain unke doosare country mein farji passport bana kar fir India bhej raha hai, taaki yahan par woh terrorist activity kar saken. Kya is sambandh mein aapse kuch share kiya gaya hai aur kya koi mechanism hai jis se isko trace out kiya ja sake?

Official Spokesperson, Shri Vikas Swarup: Pakistan jo nirantar ghuspaith kar raha hai aur jo karta raha hai woh sarv vidit hai. Bahadur Ali, jisko hum logon ne abhi haal mein hi pakda hai woh to iska jeeta jaagta saboot hi hai ki Pakistan apne ye jo napak irade hain usmein abhi bhi aage badha chala ja raha hai.

Ye jo aap bata rahe hain, I am sure, hamari security agencies us par nazar rakhe hue hain aur agar hamare pass is baare mein koi adhik jaankari aayegi jo hum aapke saath share kar sakte hain, to zaroor karenge.

Question: Foreign Secretary has sent this letter to his counterpart on the 16th?

Official Spokesperson, Shri Vikas Swarup: He wrote it on the 16th. This was delivered yesterday by our High Commissioner in Islamabad, to the Pakistan Foreign Office.

Question: Is there any response to it?

Official Spokesperson, Shri Vikas Swarup: No, not that I am aware of.

Question: Do you expect a response?

Official Spokesperson, Shri Vikas Swarup: The ball is in Pakistan’s court. They made an offer, we have responded to that offer. Now it’s up to them how to carry this forward.

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