India can’t divide Pakistan, Afghanistan, says Sartaj

Laments Ashraf Ghani’s anti-Pakistan statement; says he’s not allowed to talk to media and visit Golden Temple

ISLAMABAD: Adviser to Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz said on Sunday Pakistan’s relations with Afghanistan stood firm due to ‘our shared and historical bonds and India cannot divide us.’

Addressing a hurriedly-called news conference here after his whirlwind trip to the Indian Punjab’s city of Amritsar where he attended the Heart of Asia Istanbul Process Conference, Sartaj maintained that his participation in the conference was aimed at showing the world that bilateral tensions should not overshadow multilateral forums. 

He made it clear that the sudden change of his schedule on reaching Amritsar on Saturday evening was due to weather reasons since it would have been fog in Amritsar on Sunday morning and the flight couldn’t land in haze. The apprehension proved to be correct. He attended the two-day conference and had some significant meetings on the margins of the huddle.

The news conference took place at the Foreign Office here as he drove straight from the airport to the rendezvous. Foreign Office Spokesman Nafees Zakaria and Pakistan’s Ambassador in Afghanistan Syed Ibrar Husain were also present. 

Sartaj Aziz said his visit, despite the tensions with India at the Line of Control (LoC), was highly appreciated by the participants of the conference.  “We wanted to show that we believe in peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan and have complete solidarity and commitment to bring peace and security in the neighbouring country. The intention of Pakistan was eulogized by the participants.”

He said during his interactions at the conference, he clearly mentioned that Pakistan was against all forms and manifestations of terrorism and a regional and collective approach was required to overcome this menace.

The adviser said he highlighted the steps being taken under the National Plan of Action (NAP) against all terrorist outfits. He said Pakistan does not need pressure on counter terrorism because ‘we have done more in this area in the last three years than any other country in the world’.

“We are now sharing our experiences of counter-terrorism with the rest of the world. This is a process that we are doing in our own national interest to protect our own security.” He lamented the statement of Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, which he ascribed to frustration due to the rising insurgency in that country. Pakistan also regretted the incidents as it has been the victim of the same.

He said during his meeting with the Afghan president, he unequivocally reiterated Pakistan's position that it would never allow its soil to be used against any country. “A balanced and holistic approach is needed to resolve the Afghan problems."

Sartaj said he had fruitful meetings with the Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif, Turkmenistan Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov and assistant foreign minister of China.  He said the Turkmen foreign minister had appreciated Pakistan becoming a part of Lapis Lazuli Corridor. He also updated Sartaj Aziz on the status of TAPI pipeline project.

“Let it be known that only a one-sided picture was revealed at the conference. Since the Heart of Asia Conference was about Afghanistan, that is why we wished that the ongoing relationships between Pakistan and India should not affect the peace process within Afghanistan.” 

He revealed that the Indian media highlighted the issue of terrorism in a wrong prospective with the purpose to pressurise Pakistan. He said the statement of Ashraf Ghani was incomprehensible and condemnable.

“The statements were meant to please India.”  Sartaj Aziz said that in the meeting with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, establishment of proper security mechanism alongside Pakistan-Afghan border also came under discussion. 

Sartaj Aziz said that Pakistan was always blamed whenever there was an attack inside India and Afghanistan despite the fact that it was striving to promote peace in the region. To a query, Sartaj Aziz said: “If I had not been to India, it certainly will have a backlash as India would have got another opportunity of spreading propaganda.”

He made it clear that no substantial discussion had taken place with any of the Indian leaders, including the National Security Adviser (NSA) to the Indian Prime Minister Ajit Doval.  Sartaj Aziz wasn’t satisfied with the security arrangements made at the conference. “It is totally inexplicable not to allow someone to talk to the media,” said Sartaj Aziz. "I was advised not to talk to the media in another hotel under the pretext of a wedding function there.”

Sartaj Aziz said he was denied an opportunity to visit the Golden Temple.  He has submitted a brief report on his trip to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. It is likely that he would have a detailed meeting with the prime minister today (Monday).