Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif addressed the 71st session of the United Nations General Assembly on Wednesday, speaking at length about Kashmir and terrorism, and even calling Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani a "leader". Sharif, speaking just days after the Uri attacks saw militants kill 18 Indian soldiers near the Line of Control, said peace between India cannot be achieved "without resolution to the Kashmir dispute."
Sharif insisted that Pakistan was willing to discuss Kashmir with India at any time, and claimed that India has posed "unacceptable preconditions" for dialogue – a reference to New Delhi's demand that Pakistan move ahead with its prosecution of the attackers in the 26/11 Mumbai Attacks and the Pathankot attacks before further talks.
Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Vikas Swarup tweeted a response soon after, asking if "ending terrorism" is an unacceptable precondition.
Far from referencing Uri, Sharif spoke instead of not allowing "externally sponsored terrorism and threats of destabilisation to cause turbulence in Pakistan," and went on to talk of how Wani, a militant killed by Indian forces in July, has emerged as a "symbol of the latest Kashmiri intifada."
The speech comes amid diplomatic efforts from India to isolate Pakistan in the aftermath of the Uri attacks, including encouraging other South Asian nations to single out Pakistan as a source of terrorism. Afghanistan's Vice President Sarwar Danish also spoke on Wednesday, saying Pakistan had not sufficiently acted against terror. India's representative at the UNGA, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, is slated to address the assembly on September 26.
Limited-time offer: Big stories, small price. Keep independent media alive. Become a Scroll member today!
Our journalism is for everyone. But you can get special privileges by buying an annual Scroll Membership. Sign up today!