Pakistan slams Biden-Modi talks as ‘misleading, unwarranted’
Pakistan has blasted as “unwarranted” a joint statement issued by Washington and New Delhi following a meeting at the White House between US President Joe Biden and visiting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi accusing it of being a base for terrorist attacks.
Pakistan's Foreign Ministry slammed the joint statement on Friday as "unwarranted, one-sided and misleading," insisting in an official statement that its reference to Islamabad went against diplomatic norms.
Islamabad also emphasized that New Delhi was using extremism allegations against it in effort to deflect attention from the oppressive conditions in the India-controlled and majority Muslim Kashmir and the unjust and discriminatory treatment of minorities across India.
The ministry further expressed surprise at the joint statement by noting that it had maintained a “close counter-terrorism cooperation” with the United States.
"They (Biden and Modi) strongly condemned cross-border terrorism, the use of terrorist proxies and urged Pakistan to take immediate steps to ensure that no territory under its control is not used to carry out terrorist attacks," the joint US-India statement proclaimed.
Biden, meanwhile, rolled out the red carpet for Modi on Thursday, with both leaders touting the military and trade deals they have struck aimed at countering China's global influence. Pakistan has also expressed "deep concern" for the planned transfer of advanced US military technology to India, saying such moves would not be helpful in achieving peace in South Asia.
Dozens of US lawmakers expressed concerns on Tuesday over persisting human rights violations across India, calling on the Biden administration to raise the issue with Modi during his visit to Washington.
"A series of independent, credible reports reflect troubling signs in India toward the shrinking of political space, the rise of religious intolerance, the targeting of civil society organizations and journalists, and growing restrictions on press freedoms and internet access," the American Congress members wrote in a letter to Biden.
The letter was signed by 75 Democratic senators and House representatives urging Biden to address human rights concerns in his talks with Modi, insisting that they are important “to a successful, strong, and long-term relationship” between the two countries.
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