Indian army chief's statement against Pakistan draws strong criticism

ISLAMABAD: The statement of Indian army chief General Bipin Rawat against Pakistan has strongly been criticised amidst the declining relations after talks between the two countries were called off.

The Indian army chief on Saturday said that “talks and terrorism can’t go hand in hand” and that there is a need to take revenge against the Pakistan army.

“I think our government’s policy has been quite clear and concise. We have made no bones about the fact that talks and terrorism can’t go hand in hand. Pakistan needs to curb menace of terrorism,” General Rawat said.

The Indian army chief also stepped up threats against Pakistan and said that India needs to take stern action to avenge the activities along the disputed border.

“Yes, it’s time to give it back to them in the same coin, not resorting to similar kind of barbarism. But, I think the other side must also feel the same pain,” he said.

PM Imran calls Indian response ‘arrogant and negative’

Earlier today, Prime Minister Imran Khan expressed disappointment on the Indian government for cancelling the scheduled meeting in New York calling it the ‘negative and arrogant.’

PM Imran had written a letter to his Indian counterpart, Narendra Modi, seeking resumption of dialogue with ‘constructive engagement’ between the two countries on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly session.

However, India announced not to proceed with the proposed talks, accusing Pakistan of ‘unclean intentions’ for the dialogue.

“Disappointed at the arrogant and negative response by India to my call for the resumption of the peace dialogue. However, all my life I have come across small men occupying big offices who do not have the vision to see the larger picture,” said the prime minister.

Not war, but dialogue only way forward

Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry criticised the political statement by the Indian army chief and said that he is not the head of a political party to make such statements.

“The word has seen who desires peace and war. We extended the hand for peace first,” he said adding that the government will continue efforts for peace.

He said that the Indian army chief should not realise that he is not a political leader and should not make such statements. “Indian army chief should refrain from making such statement. This is completely inappropriate,” he said.

He said that India and Pakistan are both nuclear powers and not afford to engage in war, and the only way to resolve issues is through dialogue.

Former foreign minister Hina Rabbani Khar, while speaking to ARY News, said that the statement by Indian army chief is ‘shameful’ and Pakistan should respond to the provocative statement.

She said that world has seen that India stepped back from dialogue.

Federal minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed said that India is not aware about the strong defence of Pakistan and cannot cast any evil eye on the country.

He said that current government is capable of defending every inch of the country, and that India will be taught a benefiting lesson.

“India doesn’t realise how strong Pakistan’s defence is. We will not let anyone cast an evil eye on Pakistan,” he said, “The government is capable of defending each inch of the nation”