ISLAMABAD: The arrest of the Indian spy by Pakistan’s security forces is “proof of the Indian state’s involvement in terrorism,” the Foreign Office spokesperson told Arab News on Thursday following Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s diatribe against the country.
Modi accused Islamabad of supporting cross-border “terrorism” and harming its own people in Baluchistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir.
“What kind of life is this, inspired by terrorism? What kind of government setup is it that is inspired by terrorism?” Modi asked at the time of his lengthy Indian independence day speech earlier this week.
He said that his country’s nuclear-armed rival will have to answer for “atrocities committed” against the Baluch and Kashmiri people in Pakistan. He added: “The world will know about it and that’s sufficient for me.”
In reaction, Foreign Office Spokesperson Dr. Mohammad Faisal said: “The presence of (Indian) Commander Kulbhushan Jadhav, who was caught red-handed in Baluchistan, is ample evidence” of Indian terrorism in Pakistan.
“We will fight that case in the International Court of Justice (ICJ),” he said.
Commander Jadhav, an Indian navy officer, confessed that he was working for the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), India’s premier spy agency. He was arrested by Pakistan in March 2016 from the impoverished and rebel-infested Baluchistan province during a counter-intelligence operation.
He was found guilty and sentenced to death by Pakistan’s military court the following month. However, India approached the “world court” in May 2016, invoking the Vienna Convention on the violation of human rights. Subsequently, the court passed an order directing Pakistan to postpone the execution, pending a final decision.
Jadhav has confessed to his subversive activities and incriminating evidence has been submitted by Islamabad to the ICJ.
The Foreign Office has made his statements public, but New Delhi has countered that the officer is retired, that he was kidnapped from Iran, and that he had been made to confess under duress to fabricated charges.
Pakistan submitted its second rejoinder in July and a formal court proceeding is expected soon.
According to reports, Modi was “grateful” to the people of Baluchistan, Gilgit, and Pakistan-administered Kashmir, who have “thanked” him for his support against alleged state oppression and urged the Indian PM to take the matter to the UN.
“We, the people of Baluchistan, are suffering. We hope that you (PM Modi) raise this issue in UN session in September,” Naila Baloch, a Baloch activist, purportedly said in a tweet posted on an Indian news agency-operated social media account.
Faisal rejected the assertions and said: “Jammu and Kashmir remain pending on the UN Security Council’s (UNSC) agenda. The solution as per the UNSC resolutions is the plebiscite that is to be held under UN administration to decide the wishes, the will, of the Kashmiri people. The issue was taken through UNSC by the founding fathers of India and it’s up to India to honor the promises and commitments that it has made.”
Modi’s statement signifies that relations remain tense between the two countries, analysts have said.
“The situation is not conducive even if (Imran) Khan wants to move” toward mending ties with India, International Relations expert Dr. Zafar Jaspal told Arab News.
The Indian general elections are scheduled to take place next year when Modi hopes to secure a second term in office, he added.
“The Indian Prime minister cannot afford to lose the vote of Hindu nationalists and when he focuses on them, he needs (to tow an) anti-Muslim, anti-Pakistan (narrative),” said Jaspal.
“Maybe after May 2019, things will change and, as a result, some confidence-building measures may start” between Pakistan and India. However, Islamabad should not be too “optimistic,” he added.
