Pakistan, India can’t be enemies forever, says Janjua
ISLAMABAD: National Security Adviser (NSA) retired Lt General Nasser Khan Janjua said on Tuesday that Pakistan and India could not be enemies forever and needed to engage with each other to resolve disputes.
In a meeting with High Commissioner of Canada to Pakistan Perry John Calderwood, Mr Janjua discussed regional dynamics and bilateral relations, Pakistan’s role in eradicating terrorism, counterterrorism cooperation and implementation of the National Action Plan along with Pak-India relations with reference to the United States’ offer for mediation.
He underlined the need for non-discriminatory approach in considering Pakistan’s membership for the Nuclear Supplier Group.
Regarding increasing strategic imbalance of the region, the NSA said international community was overlooking the Kashmir dispute for some of their own strategic interests related to India.
It was expected that the international community would stand with morality and human rights, he said, adding that Pakistan welcomed the offer by the US to mediate between India and Pakistan to resolve the Kashmir dispute while India rejected the offer.
Although India regarded Kashmir as a bilateral issue, it defeated the spirit of bilateralism by defying any dialogue, said Mr Janjua.
He said Pakistan valued its relationship with Canada which helped significantly in its development efforts for decades through humanitarian assistance and developmental programmes, and looked forward to strengthening its ties.
Mr Calderwood stressed the importance of strengthening of ties between the two countries: “Pakistan is an important partner of Canada and we enjoy multi-dimensional relationship with Pakistan.”
The high commissioner said relationship with Pakistan spanned trade and educational opportunities as well as in collaboration for peacekeeping, in combating crime and terrorism and in supporting democratic institutions.
He said Pakistan was on a threshold of economic boom and there existed a huge potential for Canadian firms to capitalise.
Published in Dawn, April 12th, 2017
