Gadkari calls out Pakistan’s ‘terror export’

“We always intend to maintain a good relationship with Pakistan. From our side, we do not have any problems. But importing of terror and terrorist organisations are big issues,” Gadkari said in response to a question on India-Pakistan relations at an industry interaction organised by the Indo-American Chamber of Commerce here on Wednesday. 

The Union Minister for Roads and Highways, who is on a weeklong official visit to the US, declined to make any further comment. The war of words between India and Pakistan has escalated over the unrest in the Valley after the killing of Hizbul commander Burhan Wani. Gadkari said India hopes to complete the Chabahar port within the next 18 months. The port, he said, will give India access directly to Afghanistan and Russia without going through Pakistan. He said the port will be a gateway for new development opportunities for Indian entrepreneurs. 

Meanwhile, Pakistan on Thursday described slain Hizbul commander Burhan Wani and other militants as people “fighting for freedom” and accused Indian security forces of committing “state-terrorism” in Kashmir. “The Indian security forces are involved in state-terrorism in Kashmir and the international community should take notice of it,” Foreign Office spokesman Nafees Zakaria said at his weekly briefing here. In response to a question, Zakaria described slain Hizbul commander Wani and other militants as people “fighting for freedom.”

He said Pakistan informed the international community including the OIC, P-5 and EU about alleged atrocities by the Indian forces and human rights violations in Kashmir. 

Zakaria said Pakistan’s ambassadors have been tasked to brief the host governments and human rights organisations on the issue. He asked UN to get its resolutions on Kashmir implemented as it was UN’s responsibility to solve international disputes including Kashmir. “We want resolution of Kashmir in accordance of UN resolutions. If you want to intervene in resolution of Kashmir, it is your obligation,” he said. 

He added that Pakistan wants to resolve all issues including Kashmir with India through talks, as war is not a solution to any issue.