Pakistan has expressed concern over growing Indo-US defence relations saying it will disturb strategic and conventional balance of power in South Asia.
This was stated by Advisor on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz while briefing newsmen about achievements of the government in the realm of foreign affairs during the last three years.
He said National Security is a continuing challenge for Pakistan.
Sartaj Aziz said that the US approaches Pakistan whenever it needs it, and abandons it when it doesn’t need Pakistan.
“Pakistan will convey its concerns to US over the latest issues in the bilateral ties,” Aziz said, adding that a high-level meeting is planned between Pakistan and US officials on June 10 in Islamabad.
“We firmly conveyed it to the US that maintaining effective nuclear deterrence is critical for Pakistan’s security and only Pakistan itself can determine how it should respond to growing strategic imbalance in South Asia,” he said.
The adviser said Pakistan has decided to take up the issue of Kulbhushan Jadhav, an Indian spy who was recovered from Balochistan, with the United Nations and other international forums.
He said the statement made by Director General of India’s National Investigation Agency (NIA) that no evidence linked Pakistan to the Pathankot attack has vindicated Pakistan’s position in attack probe.
This statement comes as Indian PM Modi wrapped up a visit to Washington as one of President Barack Obama’s closest international partners.
The developing Indo-US relationship is seen as a foreign policy success for the Obama administration. Washington views India as an important part of its re-balance to Asia and as a counterweight to China.
The Advisor said Pakistan will share its concerns with international community about threats to regional peace and stability. He said Pakistan has the right to maintain minimum nuclear deterrence to defend itself in the given situation.
Sartaj Aziz said dialogue is the only way to solution of all outstanding issues between Pakistan and India. He said Pakistan still believe that through dialogue all outstanding issues including terrorism can be addressed. He said Pakistan extended full cooperation to India in the investigation of Pathankot airbase attack.
He said Pakistan always facilitated Afghan-led peace process for the restoration of peace in that country.
The advisor on foreign affairs said the recent drone attack in which the Taliban leader Mullah Akhtar Mansour was killed, has breached our sovereignty, caused a serious setback to the peace efforts and intensified hostilities in Afghanistan.
Sartaj Aziz said the most important diplomatic achievement during the last three years was path breaking transformation in Pakistan’s strategic partnership with China.
He said China-Pakistan Economic Corridor involving Chinese investment of 46 billion dollars was manifestation of that partnership.
Sartaj Aziz said other achievements included increased cooperation with Central Asia Republic, obtaining of full membership of Shanghai Cooperation Organization, creation of quadrilateral Coordination Group to facilitate Afghan peace process, continuation of efforts for solving all issues including Kashmir with Indian through dialogue, resumption of strategic dialogue with the United States, and improvement of relations with the Muslim world, European Union, and Russia.
He said that Pakistan played an active role in the international forums and won 17 elections out of 18 in the international organizations.
Referring to future challenges, Advisor on foreign affairs said the government had taken all necessary steps to meet emerging security challenges, maintain political stability, and strengthen economic gains.
