Islamabad: The heated exchange of words between India and Pakistan is far from over. After India's Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar claimed that those who "fear India's new posture have already started reacting", Pakistan premier Nawaz Sharif termed statements by Indian leaders as "irresponsible and imprudent".
While Pakistan Parliament condemned Prime Minister Narendra Modi's remarks in Bangladesh, Sharif vowed to protect his country's "vital interests at all costs". Building up its attack against India, Pakistan Parliament passed a resolution saying its armed forces are fully capable of giving a befitting response to any incursion.
The action came in the wake of statements by Indian ministers over the army offensive in Myanmar that Pakistan claimed were a threat to it.
Sharif claimed that statements by Indian leaders vitiate the atmosphere and take the two countries away from goals of regional peace and stability. "The entire nation is dismayed by the recent irresponsible and I must say imprudent statements from the Indian political leadership. This vitiates the atmosphere and takes us further away from our goal of regional peace and stability. We will protect our vital interests at all costs," he said.
This message, Sharif said, must be heard loud and clear. "At the same time we will not abandon our high moral ground because of provocations. We will continue our quest for a peaceful neighbourhood but there should be reciprocity and acknowledgement of the overtures Pakistan has made to promote the dialogue process," he said.
Modi in his remarks during his recent visit to Dhaka talked about the role of his country in the independence of Bangladesh. Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore had said in the wake of the military action in Myanmar that it was a message to other countries which was interpreted as a warning to Pakistan.
Speaking on the floor of the National Assembly, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar claimed that Prime Minister Modi had openly accepted India's role in breaking Pakistan in the 1971 war. He urged the United Nations to take notice of the Indian leadership's "hateful statements".
He said Pakistan is continuously working to establish peace in the region, but "foreign hands" are involved in terrorism and suicide bombings in Pakistan to sow instability in the country. Modi's statement of admission had made this clear, Dar alleged.
Pakistan's Senate also unanimously passed a resolution, condemning the "provocative and hostile" statements which it said reflected the Indian "hegemonic mindset". The resolution said such "crude attempts" by India are unacceptable and Pakistan rejects this "hegemonic mindset".
It condemned the recent "disturbing pattern of provocative and hostile" statements by Indian leaders including threatening attacks against Pakistani territory.
The resolution said the Upper House of the Parliament wishes to emphasise that Pakistan will never allow its territory to be violated by India under any pretext. The resolution also stated that Pakistan's armed forces are fully capable of giving a befitting response to any incursion and Pakistani people stand shoulder to shoulder with their armed forces.
Condemning Indian leaders' comments, it said such statements confirm Pakistan's apprehensions about India's intention to destabilise Pakistan. The House urged the international community to take note of such "provocative statements" which it said negatively affected the prospects for regional peace, sovereignty and stability.
The resolution said at a time when the entire Pakistani nation, particularly the armed forces are engaged in the battle against terrorism, Indian provocations are not only undermining Pakistan's anti-terror campaign but actually aiding and abetting terrorists fighting against Pakistan.
(With agency inputs)
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