As Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is in a denial mode and persists with his traditional approach towards Pakistan, President Donald Trump, on Tuesday, reiterated the US role in brokering peace between India and Pakistan, saying he told the two sides not to trade nuclear missiles (and) trade the things that you make so beautifully.
In a major foreign policy speech during his visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, he went ahead to propose a dinner meeting between the two rivals to sort out differences and promote regional peace.
The latest speech is yet another indication that the US leader intends to build upon his initial success of convincing the two countries at the height of the conflict for a ceasefire but peace seems to be fragile in view of aggressive posture and provocative speeches by Prime Minister Modi.
Apparently baffled by the measured and befitting response India got to its unprovoked aggression against Pakistan as well as domestic criticism following a US-brokered ceasefire, Modi is indulging in statements and acts that endanger the shaky peace of the region.
Demonstrating its commitment to peace and security, Pakistan has welcomed the peacemaker role of the US President, hoping he will take active interest in promoting a just settlement of the core issue of Jammu and Kashmir but India is treading the same old path of spoiling all prospects for normalization of ties.
During his visit to Adampur air base, he, once again, adopted an accusatory approach towards Pakistan levelling baseless allegations vis-à-vis terrorism and warning Islamabad of the consequences.
Apart from verbal rhetoric, which some analysts believe was aimed at the domestic audience, Modi Government declared a Pakistani official posted at its High Commission in New Delhi persona non grata, accusing him of engaging in activities not in keeping with his official status.
The Chargé d’Affaires of the Pakistan High Commission was summoned and handed a formal demarche regarding the expulsion, asking the official to leave India within 24 hours.
Pakistan responded in kind by expelling an Indian High Commission official, identified as Shankar Reddy Chintala.
The Foreign Office stated that the official had been found involved in espionage in violation of his privileged status.
Modi, on Monday, spoke for the first time after the five-day conflict between Pakistan and India and insisted that Islamabad had “begged for a truce”.
He also said that hostilities were only paused and India would conduct similar strikes if there was another terrorist attack.
It was because of the provocative statements emanating from New Delhi that Pakistan has sensitized the members of the international community about dangers to regional peace and security.
In a statement, Pakistan Foreign Office not only forcefully rejected India’s false narrative but also pointed out that at a time when international efforts are being made for regional peace and stability, Modi’s statements represent a dangerous escalation rooted in misinformation, political opportunism and a blatant disregard for international law.
In fact, India has no respect or regard for international law as it suspended the World Bank-brokered Indus Water Treaty, carried out naked aggression against Pakistan killing civilians on the pretext of false allegations of terrorism and now offers its own interpretation to the ceasefire.
Pakistan has once again declared that it remains committed to the recent ceasefire understanding and taking necessary steps towards de-escalation and regional stability but the entire world is witnessing that New Delhi lacks reciprocal sincerity.
It is regrettable that India is justifying the cold-blooded murder of innocent civilians, mostly women and children, as well as its highly irresponsible brinkmanship as the “new normal” for the region, which means it intends to keep on disturbing peace and security.
However, India must not forget the lesson it got during the recent short war, which shows Pakistan has the ability and resolve to respond effectively to adventurism.
