India reacts sharply to Imran’s Kashmir reference
NEW DELHI: India reacted sharply on Wednesday to Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan’s reference to Kashmir at the Kartarpur Corridor function saying it was “unwarranted” and that he chose to politicise the pious occasion.
It also said that Jammu and Kashmir is an inalienable part of India.
“It is deeply regrettable that the Prime Minister of Pakistan chose to politicise the pious occasion meant to realise the long pending demand of the Sikh community to develop Kartarpur Corridor by making unwarranted reference to Jammu and Kashmir which is an integral and inalienable part of India.
“Pakistan is reminded that it must fulfil its international obligations and take effective and credible action to stop providing shelter and all kind of support to cross border terrorism from territories under its control,” the spokesperson for the External Affairs Ministry said in response to queries on the issue.
Why hue and cry, asks Imran Khan: Imran Khan on Wednesday showered effusive praise on his friend from cricketing days and Punjab minister Navjot Singh Sidhu and wondered why there was a “hue and cry” in India after his visit to Pakistan three months ago with the message of friendship and love.
He also said Sidhu can win an election in Punjab in Pakistan.
“I heard there was a lot of criticism of Sidhu when he went back after my oath-taking ceremony. The man came up with friendship and love. What crime did he commit, I don’t know,” he wondered speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony for the Kartarpur Corridor project near the Kartarpur Sahib gurdwara, where Sikhism’s founder, Guru Nanak Dev, spent the last 18 years of his life.
Sidhu was caught in controversy after hugging General Qamar Javed Bajwa during Khan’s swearingin ceremony and was criticised by the BJP and other right-wing organisations.
Khan said that Sidhu is popular in Pakistan, specially in the country’s Punjab province. “He can contest election, he will win,” he said.
Stating that there is no other option except friendship between the two countries, Khan said “hopefully we will not have to wait for Sidhu to become Prime Minister for relations to improve”. Indian leadership will take positive steps, he hoped.
Speaking after Sidhu, Khan said he is impressed with Sidhu’s knowledge of Sufism while acknowledging that he was good in his cricket.
Earlier, speaking on the occasion, Sidhu praised Khan and hailed both the governments for approving the corridor. -- IANS