India: Pak free to attend Afghan meet in Punjab

Pointing out that the recent terror attack in Pakistan’s Quetta was the result of Pakistan rearing terrorism in its backyard, India nevertheless said it would welcome participation of Pakistan and other countries at the Heart of Asia (HoA) conference on Afghanistan to be held in Amritsar, Punjab, on December 4, although it has not received any official confirmation from it so far. Government sources said that the invite to Pakistan had been extended “much earlier” by the Indian high commissioner in Islamabad. Pakistan had said recently that it would attend the summit, but did not reveal the level of representation. The sources added that India had no objections to Pakistan attending the summit as it was a “multilateral” event. This is expected to be the first multi-lateral diplomatic engagement involving Pakistan after the Uri attack and the cancellation of the Saarc summit amid continuing border tensions.

“We have seen the terrible attack in Quetta. This is exactly what happens when you grow terrorism in your own backyard,” ministry of external affairs (MEA) spokesperson Vikas Swarup said. “The terrorist attack in Uri and continuing attacks with repeated frequency in parts of Jammu and Kashmir are being carried out with the support of Pakistan. It is a matter of great concern that instead of taking action against the cancer, Pakistan takes shelter under denial and abjuration. LeT and JeM are active under various aegis and find support from state organs of Pakistan,” he added. He also said that concerns on terror has become the “central motive” in India’s interactions with Pakistan. On remarks of prominent Pakistani politician Imran Khan that India was trying to “implode” Pakistan, the MEA Spokesperson said if today that country is feeling isolated, it is because of “misguided policies”.

On the HoA conference, Mr Swarup said, “We are yet to receive an official confirmation from Pakistan and also the level of participation.” He added that the HoA was a ministerial-level meeting and a multilateral conference to discuss peace, development and economic cooperation for the prosperity of Afghanistan.

“We will certainly welcome all countries to Amritsar because we are totally committed to peace and prosperity in Afghanistan. HoA process is a very important process for taking that particular narrative forward....And how international community can partner... We will welcome the participation of Pakistan,” the MEA spokesperson said while noting that India was expecting more than 40 countries and organisations to attend the meet.”

Last year in December, the meeting of the HoA process was hosted by Pakistan and External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj had attended it after which she had a bilateral talks with Aziz. The two sides had also then announced resumption of Comprehensive Bilateral Dialogue (CBD), which never took-off due to terror strikes, including the Pathankot attack by infiltrating Pakistan-based terrorists in January this year. India had earlier announced boycott of the scheduled SAARC summit in Islamabad in November along with three other SAARC nations following which the Summit was eventually cancelled.