ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said on Thursday that India's hegemonic aspirations were a threat to Pakistan and the security of the region, while Pakistani measures to strengthen its defense were aimed at maintaining deterrence.
Speaking at the Universidad del Aire, the minister referred to foreign policy priorities and dealt extensively with Indian actions that were undermining regional peace and security.
Noting that peace in South Asia was being affected by "great rivalries of power, regional tensions, unresolved disputes and hegemonic ambitions," Qureshi criticized India for pursuing offensive military doctrines, participating in nuclear blackmail, rejecting proposals for strategic restrictions and refusing to resolve outstanding disputes through dialogue.
"Hegemonic claims of India, along with a history of aggression against its neighbors, present a clear and present danger to Pakistan's regional stability and security," he said.
He says that New Delhi is building nuclear and conventional military forces
Qureshi said that India was building its nuclear and conventional military forces and acquiring destabilizing capabilities, including the nuclearization of the Indian Ocean and the deployment of ballistic missiles in addition to developing and testing debris-generating anti-satellite weapons.
On the repressive actions of India in Kashmir in detention, the minister said that while these acts were causing immense suffering to eight million cashmere, unilateral measures also posed serious risks to peace and security.
He also noted the continuing fear of a false flag operation by India for creating a pretext to attack Pakistan.
India, he said, was trying to fool the world by portraying "normalcy" in the valley through false actions of the so-called cell phone service restoration.
He believed that the intention behind the annexation of the valley on August 5 and subsequent actions was to "alter the internationally recognized disputed state of occupied J&K and change its demographic structure and identity."
Pakistan, he said, wants peace and strategic stability to focus on its socio-economic development agenda.
“Our behavior is still defined by moderation and responsibility, and by avoiding an arms race. However, Pakistan cannot remain oblivious to the evolving security dynamics in its immediate neighborhood, ”he added.
Qureshi said Pakistan's search for security was not a zero-sum game.
“We believe in results in which everyone wins, maximizing dividends for everyone. We hope that our constructive approach is reciprocated by others and that there is a new impulse for peace, progress and prosperity, ”he added.
Talks between the Taliban and the United States
The foreign minister hoped that the United States and the Taliban would resume their talks soon, which would lead to an intra-Afghan process.
Pakistan had hosted the United States and Taliban delegations this month for the first direct contact since its negotiation process was interrupted in September after an attack in Kabul in which a US soldier died.
The two sides had conversations behind the scenes during their stay in Islamabad. According to reports, the meetings ended on a positive note.
Qureshi said Pakistan remained committed to supporting all peace efforts in Afghanistan, extending development assistance and helping to create conditions that allow for the repatriation of more than three million Afghan refugees living in Pakistan.
Posted on Dawn, October 18, 2019
Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1511442/indias-hegemonic-aspirations-a-threat-for-pakistan-qureshi