New Delhi: India on Thursday stated that it desires normal relations with Pakistan but also emphasised that Islamabad must work towards creating a conducive environment.
Addressing a virtual press briefing here today, MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said, "Kashmir is an internal matter for India. Regarding the bilateral aspect, we desire normal relations with all our neighbours, including Pakistan."
Pakistan must work towards creating a conducive atmosphere including by taking credible, verifiable and irreversible actions against terrorists, he added.
India has time and again reiterated its stance regarding having normal relations with Pakistan but at the same time, stressed the need for Pakistan to work towards creating a conducive atmosphere including by taking credible verifiable and irreversible actions to not allow any territory under its control to be used for cross border terrorism against India in any manner.
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The Centre made similar remarks in a debate on the annual report of the UN Security Council to the General Assembly on June 11.
India Pakistan relations took an ugly turn since New Delhi abrogated article 370 to revoke the special status of Jammu and Kashmir on Aug 5, 2019.
Earlier this month, Pakistan had set conditions for holding talks with India. Pak PM Imran Khan said that Pakistan would hold talks with India if New Delhi restores the pre-August 5, 2019 status of Jammu and Kashmir.
"If Pakistan revives its relations with India (without the latter restoring the status of Kashmir), it will be similar to turning our back on the Kashmiris,” Khan said during a live questions and answers session with the people
Further commenting on Pak Foreign Minister Qureshi's recent remark on India's role in Afghanistan, MEA spokesperson said during a virtual press briefing, "We finally believe that it is for the people of Afghanistan to decide their partners and the size of the partnership."
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"India has brought electricity, dams, schools, health clinics, roads, community projects. The world knows what Pakistan has brought to Afghanistan," he stated.
Bagchi said that India supports all peace initiatives and has a long-term commitment to the development and reconstruction of Afghanistan. In this context, "we remain in touch with various stakeholders including regional countries," he added.
