In a clear signal that Pakistan is in no mood to grasp the olive branch extended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the time of his inauguration in May, his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif on Friday raked up the Kashmir issue at the UN General Assembly prominently, asserting that this “core issue” will have to be resolved.
Sharif, who voiced his disappointment at India’s cancellation of the Foreign Secretary-level talks but made no reference to the Pakistani provocation with its envoy in New Delhi meeting Kashmiri separatists, even harked back to the plebiscite issue in the course of his speech.
“More than six decades ago, the United Nations passed resolutions to hold a plebiscite in Jammu and Kashmir. The people of Jammu and Kashmir are still waiting for the fulfilment of that promise,” he said.
He even spoke of generations of Kashmiris having to live under occupation, with “abuse of their fundamental rights”.
In yet another attempt to internationalise the Kashmir issue, the Pakistani PM claimed it is the “responsibility of the international community” to resolve it.
On Thursday, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, currently in New York for the UNGA session, accused Pakistan of having spoiled the dialogue process.
The Modi Government had given a new signal, but the Pakistanis spoiled the game by holding talks with separatists, she said.