India rejects Sartaj Aziz's accusations; we were gracious host, says government
Is there any substance in Pakistani PM's Advisor Sartaj Aziz's allegations that India placed too much restrictions on his movement while he was in the country for the Heart of Asia conference?
In Short
- India rejected allegations of Sartaj Aziz.
- India was a gracious host for Aziz, said government.
- Aziz accused India of imposing curbs on his movement.
India has rejected the allegations levelled by Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's Advisor Sartaj Aziz that restrictions were put on him during his visit to Amritsar for the Heart of Asia conference.
The government sources said that India was 'gracious' in hosting Sartaj Aziz, who was extended all the facilities for the trip. There was no reason for Sartaj Aziz to complain.
Pakistan has claimed that during Sartaj Aziz's visit to Amritsar, restrictions were put on his movement and that he was not allowed to speak to media.
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EXCEPTIONAL TREATMENT TO AZIZ
In response the government sources said that a rare exception was made to allow arrival and departure of Aziz by air at Amritsar which is not a designated port for entry and exit of Pakistani nationals.
Sartaj Aziz, who led the Pakistani delegation, was also given swift clearance despite a last minute change in his scheduled arrival by a special flight, the sources maintained.
Here's the link to the "Amritsar Declaration" adopted at the 6th Ministerial Conference of #HeartofAsiaClick: https://t.co/yPOdxLi4Q9 pic.twitter.com/xC5dn2XUfm Indian Diplomacy (@IndianDiplomacy) December 4, 2016
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AZIZ'S ALLEGATIONS
In a hurriedly called press conference after his return from Amritsar last night, Aziz had accused India of not treating the Pakistani media properly at the Heart of Asia meeting and said he was not allowed to have a press conference.
"The attitude towards media was not good. I wanted to have press interaction with our own media. But we were not allowed," he alleged.
Earlier on Sunday, Pakistan had also claimed that Aziz was not allowed to visit the Golden Temple and speak to Pakistani media at the hotel where he was staying even as India said it was done considering his security.
INDIA'S REPLY
"They have no reasons to complain. We were gracious hosts. Extended tarmac access, gave additional rooms, provided armoured cars (not given to every Foreign Minister) and other conveniences keeping special security requirements in view," the sources said.
"This was done despite the last minute change of programme and advancing of arrival in Amritsar by special flight by more than 12 hours. Fresh flight clearance was issued within minutes," the sources said.
They said Aziz could be present in the official dinner and in the call on Prime Minister on the evening of October 3 due to the last minute clearance given.
"In addition, they were actively engaged in the Senior Officials Meeting and Ministerial and all other requests honoured. A rare exception was made to allow arrival and departure by air at Amritsar which is not a designated airport for entry and exit for Pakistani nationals," they said.
Pakistan-India relations are at such an ebb that nothing positive can be expected - so if something positive does happen consider it a bonus pic.twitter.com/0pek6Nm79f omar r quraishi (@omar_quraishi) December 4, 2016
Aziz was scheduled to arrive at Amritsar on Sunday but came a day early for the conference due to prevailing weather condition. Almost the entire northern India has been affected by thick cover of fog for the last two days, delaying flights and trains services.
(With PTI inputs)
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