New Delhi: India on Thursday lashed out at Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan for his sarcastic offer to help India and share Pakistan's 'cash transfer programme' and pointed put that the Indian stimulus package during Covid19 is "as large as Pakistan's annual GDP".
MEA spokesman Anurag Srivastava also said that progress was being made at the parleys between India and China on border issue and that no country including the US has any locus standi (as a foreign entity) to pronounce comments on the state of citizens’ constitutionally protected rights in India.
"Pakistan is better known for making cash transfers to bank accounts outside the country rather than giving to its own people. Clearly, Imran Khan needs a new set of advisers and better information," MEA spokesman Anurag Srivastava told reporters here at the weekly briefing.
He also said - "We all know about their debt problem (almost 90% of GDP) and how much they have pressed for debt restructuring. It would also be better for them (Pakistani authorities) to remember that India has a stimulus package,
which is as large as Pakistan's annual GDP".
The strong reactions from the Ministry of External Affairs come hours after Imran Khan "offered" to help India in
mimicking his direct cash transfer, based on a report claiming that '84% Indian households suffered monthly income
decrease'.
Khan's frustration vis-a-vis pressure on him in related to Indo-Pak relations could be easily gauged from the fact
that the study report the Pakistan Prime Minister refers is based on data from the Centre for Monitoring Indian
Economy (CMIE) that was published on May 12.
On the same day, PM Narendra Modi had announced the Rs 20 lakh crore 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' package to
kickstart the Indian economy and also announced a series of second generation economic reforms.
In reference to parleys between India and China at the military level, MEA said - "As you are aware, a meeting
was held between the Corps Commanders of India and China on 6th June, 2020 in the Chushul-Moldo region.
This meeting was in continuation of the diplomatic and military engagements which both sides have maintained to
address the situation in areas along the India-China border."
"It was agreed that an early resolution of the situation would be in keeping with the guidance of the leaders".
He further said the two sides are, therefore, maintaining their military and diplomatic engagements to peacefully
resolve the situation at the earliest as also to ensure peace and tranquility in the border areas.
"This is essential for the further development of Indian-China bilateral relations," the spokesman said.
With regard, India-Nepal ties and fresh issues, MEA spokesman said: "We have already made our position clear
on these issues. India deeply values its civilization, cultural and friendly relations with Nepal. Our multi-faceted bilateral partnership partnership has expanded and diversified in the recent years with increased focus and enhanced Government of India’s assistance on humanitarian, development and connectivity projects in Nepal".
Srivastava pointed out that India has been reaching out to "friendly neighbouring countries including Nepal, in line with Prime Minister’s initiative to chart out a common strategy" to combat COVID-19 in the region.
"India has extended all possible technical, medical and humanitarian assistance to Nepal. We have supplied about 25 tonnes of medical aid to Nepal including Paracetamol and hydroxy chloroquine (HCQ) medicines, test kits and other medical supplies. Government of India has also ensured that there is no untoward disruption in trade and supply of essential goods to Nepal, despite the lockdown on both sides," he said.
India has also helped in repatriation of Nepalese nationals stranded abroad on humanitarian grounds, he said.
With regard a report on international religious freedom for 2019 published by the United States department of state,
the MEA spokesman said: "The report is published annually by the US Department of State as part of its
legal requirement to the US Congress and is an internal document of the US government".
He said: "India’s vibrant democratic traditions and practices are evident to the world. The people and government
of India are proud of our country’s democratic traditions. We have a robust public discourse in India and constitutionally mandated institutions that guarantee protection of religious freedom and rule of law".
Srivastava said - "Our principled position remains that we see no locus standi for a foreign entity to pronounce
on the state of our citizens’ constitutionally protected rights".
Meanwhile, as reported in 'Organiser', External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar in a letter to BJP MP Nishikant Dubey
asserted that India "will not accept any external interference or pronouncement on matters related to our sovereignty and the fundamental rights of our citizens that are guaranteed by the Constitution."
MEA spokesman Anurag Srivastava also said that progress was being made at the parleys between India and China on border issue and that no country including the US has any locus standi (as a foreign entity) to pronounce comments on the state of citizens’ constitutionally protected rights in India.
"Pakistan is better known for making cash transfers to bank accounts outside the country rather than giving to its own people. Clearly, Imran Khan needs a new set of advisers and better information," MEA spokesman Anurag Srivastava told reporters here at the weekly briefing.
He also said - "We all know about their debt problem (almost 90% of GDP) and how much they have pressed for debt restructuring. It would also be better for them (Pakistani authorities) to remember that India has a stimulus package,
which is as large as Pakistan's annual GDP".
The strong reactions from the Ministry of External Affairs come hours after Imran Khan "offered" to help India in
mimicking his direct cash transfer, based on a report claiming that '84% Indian households suffered monthly income
decrease'.
Khan's frustration vis-a-vis pressure on him in related to Indo-Pak relations could be easily gauged from the fact
that the study report the Pakistan Prime Minister refers is based on data from the Centre for Monitoring Indian
Economy (CMIE) that was published on May 12.
On the same day, PM Narendra Modi had announced the Rs 20 lakh crore 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' package to
kickstart the Indian economy and also announced a series of second generation economic reforms.
In reference to parleys between India and China at the military level, MEA said - "As you are aware, a meeting
was held between the Corps Commanders of India and China on 6th June, 2020 in the Chushul-Moldo region.
This meeting was in continuation of the diplomatic and military engagements which both sides have maintained to
address the situation in areas along the India-China border."
"It was agreed that an early resolution of the situation would be in keeping with the guidance of the leaders".
He further said the two sides are, therefore, maintaining their military and diplomatic engagements to peacefully
resolve the situation at the earliest as also to ensure peace and tranquility in the border areas.
"This is essential for the further development of Indian-China bilateral relations," the spokesman said.
With regard, India-Nepal ties and fresh issues, MEA spokesman said: "We have already made our position clear
on these issues. India deeply values its civilization, cultural and friendly relations with Nepal. Our multi-faceted bilateral partnership partnership has expanded and diversified in the recent years with increased focus and enhanced Government of India’s assistance on humanitarian, development and connectivity projects in Nepal".
Srivastava pointed out that India has been reaching out to "friendly neighbouring countries including Nepal, in line with Prime Minister’s initiative to chart out a common strategy" to combat COVID-19 in the region.
"India has extended all possible technical, medical and humanitarian assistance to Nepal. We have supplied about 25 tonnes of medical aid to Nepal including Paracetamol and hydroxy chloroquine (HCQ) medicines, test kits and other medical supplies. Government of India has also ensured that there is no untoward disruption in trade and supply of essential goods to Nepal, despite the lockdown on both sides," he said.
India has also helped in repatriation of Nepalese nationals stranded abroad on humanitarian grounds, he said.
With regard a report on international religious freedom for 2019 published by the United States department of state,
the MEA spokesman said: "The report is published annually by the US Department of State as part of its
legal requirement to the US Congress and is an internal document of the US government".
He said: "India’s vibrant democratic traditions and practices are evident to the world. The people and government
of India are proud of our country’s democratic traditions. We have a robust public discourse in India and constitutionally mandated institutions that guarantee protection of religious freedom and rule of law".
Srivastava said - "Our principled position remains that we see no locus standi for a foreign entity to pronounce
on the state of our citizens’ constitutionally protected rights".
Meanwhile, as reported in 'Organiser', External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar in a letter to BJP MP Nishikant Dubey
asserted that India "will not accept any external interference or pronouncement on matters related to our sovereignty and the fundamental rights of our citizens that are guaranteed by the Constitution."
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