India once again loses serious opportunity, we had no role in killing of BSF Jawan: Pakistan

Hours after making an announcement of India and Pakistan foreign ministers’ talk in the US, India has called off talks and accused Pakistan and its Prime Minister Imran Khan of ‘evil design’, after three Indian soldiers were killed in Jammu and Kashmir allegedly by Pakistani forces.

Pakistan has expressed its disappointment with India’s decision to cancel Foreign minister’s talks, which was supposed to be held in the US next week. Pakistan has also released a statement in this regard and called the reason cited by the Indian government is entirely unconvincing. Pakistan also justified its stand saying, Pakistan had no role in the recent killing of Border Security Force (BSF) Jawan.

“The reasons cited by the Indian side for the decision to cancel the Foreign Ministers’ meeting, within 24 hours of its public confirmation, are entirely unconvincing. The so-called ‘disturbing developments’ alluded to in the Indian statement predated the Indian agreement to hold the bilateral meeting in New York,” Pakistan government’s statement says.

Pakistan also pointed out saying, the BSF soldier was killed two days before India had announced the talks between two foreign minister on the sidelines of UNGA in New York. Pakistan claimed that it had no role in the killing of BSF Jawan.

“Pakistan Rangers also extended help in efforts to locate the soldier’s body. These facts were known to the Indian authorities and a part of the Indian media also reported that Pakistan had refuted its involvement. Yet, this motivated and malicious propaganda continued. Pakistan takes this opportunity to categorically reject these allegations once again. Our authorities would be prepared to conduct a joint investigation to establish the truth,” Pakistan stated.

In a statement, Pakistan has accused India of falsely raising the canard of terrorism. “India can neither hide its unspeakable crimes against the Kashmiri people nor can it de-legitimise their indigenous struggle for their inalienable right to self-determination,” said the statement.

Pakistan further said, India has once again wasted a serious opportunity to change the dynamics of the bilateral relationship and put the region on the path of peace and development.

According to the statement, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan said, while speaking for the first time after assuming the office, that Pakistan would take two steps if India took one. It further reads, “Prime Minister Imran Khan in his reply letter endorsed Prime Minister Modi’s call for ‘constructive engagement’ and proposed the meeting of the two Foreign Ministers in New York to discuss a way forward on bilateral and SAARC-related matters.”

Also read: India calls off talks with Pakistan; cites Jammu & Kashmir killings