Latest news with #Pakistan-based
Express Tribune
2 days ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
'No military solution to Pak-India disputes'
Pakistan People's Party (PPP) Chairperson and former foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has said that Pakistan does not seek confrontation with India nor is it "eager for dialogue", but believes peace is in the mutual interest of both countries and that their disputes have no military solution. Tensions between Pakistan and India soared after the April 22 Pahalgam attack, killing 26 people in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). India blamed Pakistan-based elements without presenting any evidence, which Islamabad denied and called for an independent probe.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
‘Pakistan is useful to the world': Former NSA Shivshankar Menon explains why countries still support Islamabad despite terror links
Diplomacy cannot change national interests, says Menon Why the world won't isolate Pakistan IMF aid and military praise part of realpolitik Live Events Global concern over Pakistan-based terrorism has reduced India's global position remains stable Reactions to terrorism still depend on national interest (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel Former Foreign Secretary and National Security Adviser Shivshankar Menon has said that major countries continue to engage with Pakistan because they view the country as useful and do not want it to descend into anarchy. Menon, in an interview with India Today, explained that global powers act according to their strategic interests, not based on India's expectations. He added that Pakistan has managed to make itself relevant to both the US and China, and the international response to terrorism emanating from Pakistan has changed over the comments follow two events that drew criticism in India: the IMF's release of $ 1 billion to Pakistan and US CENTCOM Commander General Michael Kurilla's description of Pakistan as a 'phenomenal partner' in counter‑terrorism. Menon argues that such moves reflect each nation's self‑interest, not any judgment on India's security concerns.'Don't set impossible tasks to diplomacy,' Menon said. 'I don't think we should ask our diplomats to change the way other countries behave, they've always behaved on the basis of their interests and what's in it for them.' His remarks were in response to questions on why the global community continues to support Pakistan diplomatically and economically, even when India presents evidence of Pakistan's involvement in explained that countries are acting in their own interest when they maintain relations with Pakistan. 'The world will do what suits their interest. They find Pakistan useful. In fact, in many ways over the last few years, Pakistan has tried to make herself useful to other people, whether it is in Centcom's fight against ISIS Khorasan or whether it is the Pakistanis now investing in cryptocurrency which is being pushed by the White House . They will use this to see what they can get out of it. So I don't think that has changed in any fundamental way,' he IMF released $1.023 billion to Pakistan while Operation Sindoor was still in progress. Around the same time, US CENTCOM Commander General Michael Kurilla referred to Pakistan as a 'phenomenal partner' in the fight against commented, 'Our job is not to actually prevent IMF loans to Pakistan. The world doesn't want Pakistan to collapse into complete anarchy, so they will continue to work with Pakistan.'He also added, 'Pakistan has made herself useful to China and the US, and the rivalry between Beijing and Washington actually has worked in Pakistan's favor in some ways.'Menon said that while India may have convinced the world about Pakistan's role in sponsoring terrorism, that no longer translates into strong diplomatic action.'The world doesn't respond on the basis of whether they are convinced or not. The world responds on the basis of what's in their interest,' he said.'Today, unlike 10 years ago, the world does not see Pakistan as offering a terrorist threat to themselves. Ten years ago when the global war on terror was on, the US, Europe, Denmark, the UK — all of them saw terrorist threats emanating from Pakistan affecting them directly. So they will condemn terrorism. And what you do is your business. They won't get in your way either. But you cannot expect them to act beyond their interest.'He further added, 'It's not a question of how convinced they are — in fact they are convinced. Nobody has gone against the narrative that this originated in Pakistan.'Addressing concerns about India's international image following recent diplomatic developments, Menon said, 'I'm not sure that we can measure India's place in the world on a minute-to-minute, hour-to-hour, event-by-event basis. Basically, I think India's place in the world is where it was. I don't think that has changed fundamentally. The world's interest in India is also the same as it was before.'On global responses to terror attacks and Indian retaliation, Menon said: 'We got support across the board after Pahalgam. But when it comes to a conflict between India and Pakistan, countries react on the basis of their interest.'
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Business Standard
3 days ago
- Politics
- Business Standard
Trump to host Pakistani army chief Asim Munir over lunch at White House
President Donald Trump is scheduled to meet Pakistan's army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, at the White House on Wednesday — his first official visit to the United States since the deadly India–Pakistan clashes along the Line of Control (LoC) in April and May. The lunch meeting is set for 1 pm local time in the Cabinet Room, according to the president's official schedule. Munir is also expected to meet Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth during his five-day trip, Pakistani media have reported. Background: Kashmir terror attack and India's Operation Sindoor Tensions between India and Pakistan escalated following the killing of 26 civilians in a terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, on April 22. India accused Pakistan-based groups of orchestrating the attack, describing it as a cross-border terror operation. Islamabad has denied any involvement. In retaliation, India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7, targeting nine locations in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir identified as terrorist bases. Official statements said more than 100 militants were neutralised in the strikes. Subsequently, the Indian government dispatched seven all-party delegations to 25 key countries—including several UN Security Council members—from May 23 to present its position. In parallel, Pakistan's Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari led delegations of lawmakers and former diplomats to various capitals to advocate Islamabad's stance. Donald Trump claims credit for de-escalation; India dismisses mediation President Trump has claimed credit for helping defuse tensions between the two nuclear neighbours, suggesting he used trade leverage to bring both sides to the table. However, India has rejected any suggestion of third-party mediation or US involvement in de-escalating the situation. Asim Munir's US visit follows G7 snub to PM Modi Field Marshal Munir, promoted to the ceremonial rank last month, is increasingly viewed as one of the most powerful figures in Pakistan's military establishment. According to reports in Dawn, the visit is 'primarily bilateral in nature,' and marks his first US trip since assuming the field marshal title. His arrival in Washington comes days after President Trump cancelled a planned meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the G7 summit in Canada. PM Modi, who addressed the summit on Tuesday, was invited by the Canadian government. Donald Trump cut short his Canada visit to address unfolding crises in West Asia. Specifics of Asim Munir's meetings remain unclear While the broader purpose of Munir's visit is understood to involve defence and security cooperation, the specific agenda of his meetings with US officials has not been disclosed. Analysts say the timing of the trip is diplomatically sensitive, especially amid India–Pakistan tensions and shifting US engagement priorities in the region.
NDTV
3 days ago
- Politics
- NDTV
"Act Of Terror Will Be Considered An Act Of War"": PM Modi Tells Trump
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi informed US President Donald Trump that India will regard any act of terrorism, not as proxy actions, but as acts of war, stated Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri on Wednesday. The Prime Minister, during a 35-minute-long phone conversation, also conveyed to Trump that India does not seek and will never accept any mediation on matters related to Pakistan. President Trump, according to Mr Misri, fully understood India's position and expressed support for its fight against terrorism. PM Modi also informed Trump that India will consider any terror act emanating from Pakistan as an act of war, and that Operation Sindoor remains ongoing. Mr Misri revealed that this conversation between the two leaders was their first since the Pahalgam terror attack and India's retaliatory Operation Sindoor. The call took place after a scheduled in-person meeting between the two leaders on the sidelines of the G7 Summit was cancelled due to Trump's early return to the US. "The phone conversation was held at the request of President Trump," said Misri, adding that PM Modi used the opportunity to detail India's measured military response to the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, which killed 26 innocent tourists. The attack was claimed by The Resistance Front, a group affiliated with the Pakistan-based terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba. "Prime Minister Modi said that on the night of May 6-7, India had targeted only terrorist hideouts in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. India's actions were very measured, precise, and non-escalatory," Mr Misri said. "India had made it clear that it would respond to Pakistan's 'goli' with 'gola' (a strong, proportionate military response)," he said. Operation Sindoor saw India strike nine high-value terror infrastructure sites in Pakistan and PoK. In response, Pakistan launched military strikes not only on Indian military infrastructure but also on civilian and religious sites, prompting further escalation. The Foreign Secretary also disclosed that on the night of May 9, US Vice President Vance conveyed to PM Modi that Pakistan could launch a major retaliatory strike. "Prime Minister Modi told him clearly that if this happens, India will respond with even greater force. India's strong counterattack on the night of May 9-10 caused heavy damage to Pakistan's military. Several of their airbases were rendered inoperable," Mr Misri said. He noted that following India's forceful retaliation, Pakistan approached India with a ceasefire request. "Prime Minister Modi stated that the ceasefire was agreed to only at the request of Pakistan and that India does not want mediation. He made it clear that at no point during this episode were India-US trade talks or third-party mediation discussed," Mr Misri stated. "The halt to military action was discussed directly between the two countries through existing military channels," he added. Reiterating India's long-standing position, Misri said, "Prime Minister Modi stressed that India has never accepted mediation, does not accept it, and will never accept it. There is complete political unanimity in India on this issue." President Trump reportedly asked if PM Modi could stop by the US on his return from Canada, but the Prime Minister expressed his inability due to prior commitments. However, both leaders agreed to try to meet soon. The conversation also covered international developments, including the Iran-Israel conflict and the Russia-Ukraine war. Both leaders agreed that direct dialogue between Moscow and Kyiv is necessary for peace. "They also discussed the Indo-Pacific and the vital role of the QUAD. Prime Minister Modi invited President Trump to India for the next QUAD summit, and President Trump accepted the invitation," Mr Misri said.
Hans India
3 days ago
- Politics
- Hans India
Act of terror will be considered an act of war: PM Modi tells Trump
Prime Minister Narendra Modi informed US President Donald Trump that India will regard any act of terrorism, not as proxy actions, but as acts of war, stated Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri on Wednesday. The Prime Minister, during a 35-minute-long phone conversation, also conveyed to Trump that India does not seek and will never accept any mediation on matters related to Pakistan. President Trump, according to Misri, fully understood India's position and expressed support for its fight against terrorism. PM Modi also informed Trump that India will consider any terror act emanating from Pakistan as an act of war, and that Operation Sindoor remains ongoing. Misri revealed that this conversation between the two leaders was their first since the Pahalgam terror attack and India's retaliatory Operation Sindoor. The call took place after a scheduled in-person meeting between the two leaders on the sidelines of the G7 Summit was cancelled due to Trump's early return to the US. "The phone conversation was held at the request of President Trump," said Misri, adding that PM Modi used the opportunity to detail India's measured military response to the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, which killed 26 innocent tourists. The attack was claimed by The Resistance Front, a group affiliated with the Pakistan-based terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba. "Prime Minister Modi said that on the night of May 6-7, India had targeted only terrorist hideouts in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. India's actions were very measured, precise, and non-escalatory," Misri said. "India had made it clear that it would respond to Pakistan's 'goli' with 'gola' (a strong, proportionate military response)," he said. Operation Sindoor saw India strike nine high-value terror infrastructure sites in Pakistan and PoK. In response, Pakistan launched military strikes not only on Indian military infrastructure but also on civilian and religious sites, prompting further escalation. The Foreign Secretary also disclosed that on the night of May 9, US Vice President Vance conveyed to PM Modi that Pakistan could launch a major retaliatory strike. "Prime Minister Modi told him clearly that if this happens, India will respond with even greater force. India's strong counterattack on the night of May 9-10 caused heavy damage to Pakistan's military. Several of their airbases were rendered inoperable," Misri said. He noted that following India's forceful retaliation, Pakistan approached India with a ceasefire request. "Prime Minister Modi stated that the ceasefire was agreed to only at the request of Pakistan and that India does not want mediation. He made it clear that at no point during this episode were India-US trade talks or third-party mediation discussed," Misri stated. "The halt to military action was discussed directly between the two countries through existing military channels," he added. Reiterating India's long-standing position, Misri said, "Prime Minister Modi stressed that India has never accepted mediation, does not accept it, and will never accept it. There is complete political unanimity in India on this issue." Trump reportedly asked if PM Modi could stop by the US on his return from Canada, but the Prime Minister expressed his inability due to prior commitments. However, both leaders agreed to try to meet soon. The conversation also covered international developments, including the Iran-Israel conflict and the Russia-Ukraine war. Both leaders agreed that direct dialogue between Moscow and Kyiv is necessary for peace. "They also discussed the Indo-Pacific and the vital role of the QUAD. Prime Minister Modi invited President Trump to India for the next QUAD summit, and President Trump accepted the invitation," Misri said.
