Spokesperson for the External Affairs Ministry Vikas Swarup on Thursday said the Centre was committed to promoting prosperity with neighbours, but terror could not be the product exported. He was referring to India's plan to review the "Most Favoured Nation" status granted to Pakistan in 1996 as part of a trade pact. Swarup added that Pakistan had self-implicated itself when Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had hailed Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani, who was killed on July 8, as a martyr.
Swarup also blamed China for once again blocking India's efforts to get Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad chief Masood Azhar designated as a terrorist by the United Nations. He said the UN committee was expected to ban him as a terrorist, adding that the move will send a strong message that the international community will not tolerate selective approach to terrorism.
"There are 14 countries [members of the UN Security Council] on one side and one country on the other. So that led to this extension," Swarup said. He added that India will also take up the matter of China blocking a tributary of the Brahmaputra river in Tibet to construct its Lalho hydro project, PTI reported.
The MEA spokesperson, however, refused to speak about the recent surgical strikes carried out by the Indian Army along the Line of Control. "Whatever the government shares with the public is determined by national security," he said, adding that India cannot make public the content of talks between the national security advisers of India and Pakistan.
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!