Amid tension, Pak Hindu lawmaker Vankwani meets Sushma: Pitches for peace
New Delhi, Feb 23 Is back channel diplomacy already on between India and Pakistan amid these tensed moments?
In a dramatic development after the US President Donald Trump described the face-off between the two South Asian neighbours as “very, very bad” and stated that the hostilities should end, a Pakistani Hindu lawmaker from the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party Ramesh Kumar Vankwani met Indian leaders including foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj and Minister of State for External Affairs Gen V K Singh.
In fact posting a snap of his meeting with Ms Swaraj, Mr Vankwani also tweeted: "Nice meeting with @Sushma Swaraj. Peace is in the best interest of people of both countries, Pakistan and India".
Mr Vankwani was here as part of a large international visiting team of foreign nationals who were on a day-long trip to Prayagraj Kumbh on Friday.
Vankwani's Twitter profile also describes him as a Patron-in-chief of Pakistan Hindu Council.In fact, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj among others met the visiting foreign nationals from as many as 182 countries. There was no confirmation till evening on whether Mr Vankwani met Prime Minister Modi separately.
A resident of Karachi Mr Vankwani had a brief interaction with MoS External Affairs V K Singh during the lunch break.
When asked to comment on the present impasse in ties between India and Pakistan, the visiting lawmaker (member of the National Assembly of Pakistan) said - "my government in Pakistan does not want any problem....and I can speak to Indian leaders and Prime Minister Narendra Modi if there are problems between the two countries".
Indian officials declined to divulge details about the visiting MP, who is also the chairman of Pak National Assembly Standing Committee on Statistics.
One source in the ICCR, which initiated this marathon Kumbh visit for representatives from 182 countries, merely said, "Mr Vankwani is from Sindh area, this much I know".
Another source said - "He is here in individual capacity, we cannot say Pakistan government has nominated him. Moreover, the visit was essentially aimed at Kumbh".
The dramatic visit of the Pakistani politician - without oft repeated any row over Visas and in utter secrecy and turning it as a non-event - took place on a day when Prime Minister Modi made a sort of a climb down from the hawkish stance and urged his Pakistani counterpart Imran Khan to prove himself as true 'Pathan' by taking steps to fight poverty and illiteracy in the two countries.
“Pakistan’s prime minister told me (last year) ‘I am the son of a Pathan. I do what I say.’ It is time to test his words," Mr Modi said at a rally at Tonk in Rajasthan.
Recalling his first telephonic talk with Mr Khan after latter's poll victory in 2018, Mr Modi said - ''I had told him you are from the world of sports... Come, let India and Pakistan get their act together and fight poverty and illiteracy.
''In response, he had told me that he (Imran) is a son of a Pathan and he will always speak the truth and also do things in the right manner.... Thus time has come for him to prove his own words,'' the Prime Minister said.
All these also happened on a day when the apex body of Islamic nations invited India - for the the first time in its 50 years history - to attend the plenary session of OIC in Abu Dhabi on March 1.
According to observers, the growing international support to the Modi government including strong statement from UNSC and FATF naming JeM for Pulwama attack and the OIC invite are only making things paradoxical and could stall government's hot pursuit against Pakistan.
"The UNSC resolution and anti-money laundering body FATF also taking Pak-based groups by name is a clear recognition of India's grievance and anguish against Pakistan. Thus the onus seems to be coming on the Indian side now and it will not be advisable to give away the high moral ground," a source said.
Interacting with foreign nationals who visited Kumbh and that supposedly also included the Pak lawmaker from Imran Khan's ruling party, Prime Minister Modi said - "I request you all that when you go back to your country, you spread the word about India's culture and heritage and your own positive experience in India".
Amid high-volage tension, PM dares Imran to prove his words on fight against poverty
Tonk, Rajasthan, Feb 23 (UNI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday dared his Pakistan counterpart Imran Khan to stick to his own words as a 'Pathan' and dedicate all efforts to fight poverty and illiteracy in the two countries.
''Aaj Pakistan ke pradhan mantri ke shabdoan ko kasauti pe kasne ki jarurat hai...(Time has come for him to prove his own words) Let me see whether he can prove to be truthful to his own words,'' the Prime Minister said addressing a rally here.
Recalling his first telephone talk with Mr Khan after his poll victory in 2018 and said ''I had told him you are from the world of sports... Come let India and Pakistan get their act together and fight poverty and illiteracy.''In response, he had told me that he (Imran) is a son of a Pathan and he will always speak the truth and also do things in the right manner.... Thus time has come for him to prove his own words,'' the Prime Minister said amid escalated tension between two neighbours in the wake of Pulwama attack.
Modi Govt achieves another 'first' in diplomacy: OIC invites Sushma
New Delhi, Feb 23 India on Saturday accepted the invitation from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to attend the 46th session of council of foreign ministers of Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) on March 1 and 2 in Abu Dhabi."We see this invitation as the desire of the enlightened leadership of the UAE to go beyond our rapidly growing close bilateral ties and forge a true multifaceted partnership at the multilateral and international level," an MEA statement said here.
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj will be attending the meet as a 'guest of honour', it confirmed.
Notably, the UAE has sought to record its recognition and appreciation of India in the contemporary setting and said Ms Swaraj's presence at the OIC meet will mark presence of "the friendly Republic of India with all its international political weight and diverse cultural heritage, and an important Islamic component, as a guest of honor".
"We see this invitation as a milestone in our comprehensive strategic partnership with the UAE. We also see this invitation as a welcome recognition of the presence of 185 million Muslims in India and of their contribution to its pluralistic ethos, and of India’s contribution to the Islamic world,"
the MEA statement said.
Sources said it is for the first time, the coveted grouping of Islamic nations have invited India to be an 'observer' for this year's session."India is, therefore, happy to accept the invitation to attend the Inaugural Plenary of the OIC meeting and we thank the leadership of the UAE for their invitation," the statement said.This gesture from the OIC which more often in the past has taken an indifferent approach to India only reflects "India's growing diplomatic influence".Ms Swaraj has been invited by UAE foreign minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan to be the guest of honour and address the inaugural session, an MEA statement said here on Saturday.The 46th OIC session this year will be held under the theme: "Fifty years of Islamic cooperation: the road map for prosperity and development", coinciding with the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the organisation.
Diplomatic sources said India-UAE bilateral relations have received impetus from time-to-time with exchange of high-level visits from both sides.
"The historic visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to UAE in August 2015 marked the beginning of a new and comprehensive and strategic partnership. In the Joint Statement issued after the visit, both leaders agreed to work together not only to consolidate achievements in the existing domains but also to explore newer areas of cooperation," the source said.UAE Foreign Minister will open the OIC meeting on March 1 (next Friday) in the presence of Secretary-General of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation Dr Yousef Al-Othaimeen.
Representatives from 56 member states and five observer states are expected to attend the two-day meet.
OIC invite, global backing may halt Modi's hot pursuit policies against Pakistan
New Delhi/Tonk, Feb 23 (UNI) Having mustered global support post-Pulwama and a strongly worded statement against Pakistan from the powerful organ of the United Nations, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday extended an olive branch to Imran Khan to stick to his own words as a 'Pathan' and take steps to fight poverty and illiteracy in the two countries.
''Aaj Pakistan ke pradhan mantri ke shabdoan ko kasauti pe kasne ki jarurat hai...(Time has come for him to prove his own words) Let me see whether he can prove to be truthful to his own words,'' the Prime Minister said addressing a rally at Tonk in western state of Rajasthan.
Recalling his first telephone talk with Mr Khan after his poll victory in 2018, Mr Modi said - ''I had told him you are from the world of sports... Come let India and Pakistan get their act together and fight poverty and illiteracy.
''In response, he had told me that he (Imran) is a son of a Pathan and he will always speak the truth and also do things in the right manner.... Thus time has come for him to prove his own words,'' the Prime Minister said amid escalated tension between two neighbours in the wake of Pulwama attack.
However, in his speech, the Prime Minister asserted that everything will be done to 'crush terrorism'.
A sort of moderate climbdown and mixed message in Prime Minister's speech comes amid immense support from the international community in favour of India even as the US President Donald Trump described the current situation between India and Pakistan as “very, very bad”.
"A very dangerous situation. We would like to see it hostilities stop. A lot of people were just killed. We want to see it just stop. We are very much involved in that process," President Trump had said interacting with media at the Oval Office on Friday hinting that Washington will not like any major military fight in the South Asian theatre.
In yet another testimony to India's growing influence diplomatically, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj has been invited at the 46th session of council of foreign ministers of Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) on March 1 and 2.
"First time as Guest of Honour," MEA spokesman Raveesh Kumar tweeted and also confirming about India's acceptance of the unprecedented invite.
Hailing India's emergence in the comity of nations in the contemporary setting, a UAE statement also said: "The friendly country of India has been named as the guest of honour (at the 46th OIC session) in view of its great global political stature as well as its time-honoured and deeply rooted cultural and historical legacy, and its important Islamic component".
The United Nations Security Council (UNSC), in a resolution on Thursday, condemned the terror act at Pulwama and also named Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) for the first time.
In fact, welcoming the UNSC statement, India’s permanent representative to the UN Syed Akbaruddin tweeted on the UNSC resolution calling it - “A statement with many firsts takes more time than expected. In complex diplomatic situations, however, it is better to be late than never".
France and the United States have backed India's stance solidly for about a week aftermath the Pulwama attack and despite initial skirmishes raised by China, all the 15 permanent and non-permanent members finally adopted the resolution 'unanimously' that condemned in the “strongest terms” the “heinous and cowardly” attack.
Indian government sources also said it contains specific 'language' that India had proposed via partner countries including on the naming of JeM.
India's stand that perpetrators should be brought to justice was also accepted even as India's formidable competitors and rivals in the region, China and Pakistan tried to do everything to either 'dilute' the content or even total avoidance of a statement altogether.
However, observers of political and strategic affairs have said there is a surcharged and hawkish atmosphere in the country with a section of BJP leaders and workers also expecting a kind of do or die stance against Pakistan.
For its part, the Modi government has taken a number of diplomatic steps and also tightened the noose on Islamabad, commercially withdrawing MFN status and also enhanced the import duties on Pakistani goods to 200 per cent.
Taking these further, Water Resources Minister Nitin Gadkari has announced that even water flowing into Pakistan will be 'diverted'
"Expectations are made from a leader like PM Modi - who can deliver," BJP MP Maheish Giri said.
A virtual panic driven Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has in the meantime written a letter to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) president, Francisco Antonio Cortorreal and drew attention to the 'deteriorating security situation' in the region.
"The situation poses a threat to international peace and security.....," he wrote urging the world body to "defuse the current tensions".
On the home front, the Modi government, has, however pursued hot pursuits policy in Jammu and Kashmir and could escalate these actions further against separatist leaders.
While security and other government facilities given to them have been withdrawn, JKLF chairman Yasin Malik was on Friday late night detained.
According to observers, the growing international support to the government is actually paradoxical in a manner.
"The UNSC resolution and anti-money laundering body FATF also taking Pak-based groups by name is a clear recognition of India's grievance and anguish against Pakistan. Thus the onus seems to be coming on the Indian side now and it will not be advisable to give away the high moral ground New Delhi's diplomacy has achieved," a source said.
PM Modi urges foreign nationals of 182 nations to work as India's cultural envoys
New Delhi, Feb 23 (UNI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday urged representatives and nationals of as many as 182 countries including one Sindh-based Pakistani citizen to work as India's cultural ambassadors and spread the word about India's culture and heritage.
"I request you all that when you go back to your country, you spread the word about India's culture and heritage and your own positive experience in India," Mr Modi said in an interaction with delegates from around the globe who were on a day long trip to Prayagraj Kumbh to see the "largest gathering of humanity".
He said that until one actually visits the Kumbh Mela, one cannot appreciate completely, what a great heritage it is. He said that this tradition has continued uninterrupted for thousands of years.
He said the Kumbh is as much about social reform as it is about spirituality.
He said that the Kumbh has been a forum for discussion among spiritual leaders and social reformers, to chart a roadmap for the future, and monitor progress.
The Prime Minister said that the effort is now to blend "modernity and technology, with faith, spirituality, and cultural consciousness, at the Kumbh Mela".
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, Minister of State for External Affairs and President of Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) Vinay Sahasrabuddhe were present on the occasion.
"It is a great occasion when we are seeing the cultural amalgamation. People from across the globe following different religions and social ethos are here to know more about Indian culture and tradition. All these individuals and citizens of countries like Myanmar, Poland, Mali and Somalia during last two days are taking keen interest in the affairs of India," Mr Sahasrabuddhe told UNI.
The visiting delegation also included one Pakistani citizen from Sindh region, an ICCR source said.
He also said all these individuals will play the role "cultural ambassadors" for India and whenever there is any "wrong perception" about India anywhere, it is they who will be highlighting "India's pluralism and the inner faith in democratic traditions".
A large number of foreign delegates visited the famous Kumbh mela at Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh on Friday.
At the initiatives of Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), delegates from around the globe were on a day long trip to Prayagraj Kumbh to see the 'largest gathering of humanity'.
"This kind of visit is happening for the first time in the history of the Kumbh," Mr Sahasrabuddhe said.
Fight is for Kashmir not against Kashmiris: PM
Tonk, Rajasthan, Feb 23 (UNI) In the wake of anxiety expressed by National Conference and PDP that Kashmiri students and people in general require adequate security in the rest of India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Saturday that the anti-terror fight post Pulwama fight is in effect a fight for the northern state and not against Kashmiris.
''Our fight is against terrorism, against enemies of humanity. Hamari ladai Kashmir ke liye hai, Kashmir ke khilaaf nahi hai, Kashmiriyon ke khilaaf nahi hai,(This fight is never against the people of Kashmir),'' he said at a rally here.
''We are going to move ahead with a strong resolution as 130 crore people are supporting us on this,'' he said, adding it will be erroneous to bring the division of us-and-them syndrome between the People of India and the Kashmiri Muslims, and said there have been occasions when the local Muslims have saved Hindus and also given them protection during Amarnath yatra.
The Prime Minister took strong exception that in some states, Kashmiri students were targetted aftermath Pulwama attack.
''Is desh mein aisa hona nahi chahiye (such attacks should not happen in this country),'' the Prime Minister categorically said.
The remarks come at the backdrop of former J & K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah meeting Home Minister Rajnath Singh and pressing for security of Kashmiri students in states like Uttarakhand.
State Governor Satya Pal Malik had last week directed the police to take strict action against those indulging in any type of violence, arson or rumour mongering in Jammu regon.
The Union Home ministry on Friday has directed all Chief Secretaries in all states to take adequate measures to ensure security of Kashmiri citizens in their respective states.
''Kashmiris have suffered the most due to terrorism,'' the Prime Minister said and maintained the country needs to support them in their stand.
In the wake of reports of violence against the Kashmiri people aftermath Pulwama attack on February 14, he said the issue is not what happened to Kashmiri children in any corner of the country, but the fact is that Kashimiri youth is tired of terrorism.
Mr Modi said India has won all wars with India in the past and ''the trend will continue''.
People are full of anger, he said, adding that ''we are not going to sit quiet, we know how to crush terror.''
Mr Modi dared his Pakistan counterpart Imran Khan to stick to his own words as a 'Pathan' and dedicate all efforts to fight poverty and illiteracy in the two countries.
''Aaj Pakistan ke pradhan mantri ke shabdoan ko kasauti pe kasne ki jarurat hai...(Time has come for him to prove his own words) Let me see whether he can prove to be truthful to his own words,'' the Prime Minister said.
Recalling his first telephone talk with Mr Khan after his poll victory in 2018 and said ''I had told him you are from the world of sports... Come let India and Pakistan get their act together and fight poverty and illiteracy.
''In response, he had told me that he (Imran) is a son of a Pathan and he will always speak the truth and also do things in the right manner.... Thus time has come for him to prove his own words,'' the Prime Minister said amid escalated tension between two neighbours in the wake of Pulwama attack.
Pak Foreign Minister writes to UNSC Prez, seeks UN help to 'defuse' Indo-Pak tension
New Delhi/Islamabad, Feb 23 (UNI) Virtually pressing a panic button Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has written a letter to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) president, Francisco Antonio Cortorreal and drew attention to the 'deteriorating security situation' in the region resulting from the Indian threats of use of 'force against Pakistan'.
Pakistan Foreign Minister further said that he has already 'apprised' the UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres of the serious situation and underlined that the United Nations "must step into defuse the current tensions".
"It is with a sense of urgency that I draw your attention to the deteriorating security situation in our region resulting from Indian belligerence and threats of use of force against Pakistan," he wrote.
Mr Qureshi further said - "Simultaneously, for domestic political reasons, India has deliberately ratcheted up hostile rhetoric against Pakistan and created a tense environment".
He also accused that Prime Minister Narendra Modi in several public statements has threatened a “befitting response".
"Separately, senior members of the Indian Government are threatening to use water as a weapon. The long-standing legal arrangements agreed under the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) are thus being imperiled," he wrote.
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