By Staff Reporter
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan summoned a senior U.S. diplomat on Monday to protest against a joint statement by the United States and India that urged Islamabad to take action against militants operating from its soil.
The statement was issued after U.S. President Joe Biden hosted Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the White House last week and the two countries signed defence and technology deals to counter China’s influence in the region.
The statement also condemned cross-border terrorism, the use of terrorist proxies and called for the perpetrators of the 2008 Mumbai and 2016 Pathankot attacks to be brought to justice.
Pakistan had earlier summoned the Indian envoy in Islamabad and lodged a strong protest over the joint statement.
Pakistan, a key ally of China, said the statement was “unwarranted, one-sided and misleading” and accused Washington of endorsing India’s “baseless and politically motivated narrative” against it.
“[The U.S. deputy chief of mission] was conveyed Pakistan’s concerns and disappointment at the unwarranted references to Pakistan in the joint statement,” the foreign ministry said in a statement.
“It was stressed that the United States should refrain from issuing statements that may be construed as an encouragement of India’s baseless and politically motivated narrative against Pakistan.”
The statement said Pakistan also stressed that counter-terrorism cooperation between Pakistan and the United States had been progressing well and that trust and understanding were essential to further strengthen bilateral ties.
The U.S. embassy in Islamabad did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The joint statement by Biden and Modi called on Pakistan to ensure that no territory under its control was used for launching attacks on other countries.
Pakistan denies supporting militants and says it is a victim of terrorism itself.
It also accuses India of sponsoring violence in its restive Baluchistan province and fomenting unrest in Kashmir, a disputed region claimed by both countries.
Pakistan’s defence minister and foreign minister also criticised the U.S.-India statement, saying it was contrary to diplomatic norms and had political overtones.
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