UAE lauded for Pakistan, India mediation role
ISLAMABAD ALWAYS WELCOMES THIRD PARTY MEDIATION, MINISTER SAYS
Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has lauded the UAE’s role in the Pakistan-India mediation that led to a ceasefire on the Line of Control (LOC) in Kashmir.
In an interview with Gulf News yesterday, Foreign Minister Qureshi for the first time acknowledged that there have been ‘sittings’ in the UAE. “Pakistan has lot of trust and confidence in the UAE as the UAE has been a tested friend of Pakistan for decades. The ruling family members have been very close to Pakistan. We consider UAE leaders friends and well-wishers of Pakistan.”
He further elaborated: “UAE has sizeable number of Pakistanis and the presence of Indians is even higher. Obviously, looking at the interest of peace and stability in the region, it only makes sense that the UAE feels that two players [Indian and Pakistan] in this region, who are estranged, should sit together and talk out their differences.”
Reports denied
Pakistan has lot of trust and confidence in the UAE as the UAE has been a tested friend of Pakistan for decades.”
Shah Mahmood Qureshi | Pakistan Foreign Minister
Qureshi added that Pakistan always welcomes third party mediation whether it is the UAE or any other country. However, he denied reports about a possible meeting with Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishanker who is also visiting Abu Dhabi.
Last week, the UAE Ambassador to Washington Yousuf Al Otaiba had confirmed the UAE is mediating between India and Pakistan to help the nucleararmed rivals reach a “healthy and functional” relationship. On Wednesday, Al Otaiba had said that the UAE played a role “in bringing Kashmir escalation down and created a ceasefire, hopefully ultimately leading to restoring diplomats and getting the relationship back to a healthy level”.
Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has said that he is visiting the UAE to discuss some important issues developing in the region because UAE is the most trusted friend of Pakistan.
“Pakistan has lot of trust and confidence in the UAE, and we also consider the UAE leaders friends and well-wishers of Pakistan,” added Qureshi.
During an exclusive interview with Gulf News in Dubai yesterday, Foreign Minister Qureshi discussed a wide range of issues from Pakistan-India talks, impact of US troops withdrawal from Afghanistan, and Pakistan’s relations with US, Russia, Central Asian States and the Muslim world.
Qureshi arrived in the UAE on a three-day official visit on Saturday to discuss bilateral issues and the regional developments.
Pakistan has lot of trust and confidence in the UAE, and we also consider the UAE leaders friends and well-wishers of Pakistan.”
UAE’s mediation role
Qureshi has lauded the UAE’s role in the Pakistan-India mediation leading to ceasefire on Line of Control (LOC) in Kashmir.
“UAE has sizeable number of Pakistanis and the presence of Indians is even higher. Obviously, looking at the interest of peace and stability in the region, it only makes sense that the UAE feels that two players [Indian and Pakistan] in this region, who are estranged, should sit together and talk out their differences.”
Qureshi said that Pakistan is ready to resume bilateral talks but only after India restores the ‘original’ status of Jammu and Kashmir.
Given the situation, he noted: “Now, we have to see what the way forward is and how we can sit and talk as two neighbours to sort out our issues. I can assure you that Pakistan is ready to talk provided India revisits the decision on Jammu and Kashmir which in our opinion is not only illegal but also unilateral.”
Shah Mahmood Qureshi | Pakistan Foreign Minister
Pakistan’s role in Afghan peace
Qureshi said that Pakistan has been a strong advocate of peace, stability and reconciliation in Afghanistan. “We have played our role and that role led to the Doha peace agreement between US and Taliban, and then subsequently to the commencement of intra-Afghan negotiations and finally moved on to the rules of procedure and engagements.
“People in Afghanistan and around the world want things to move further as they want to see a peaceful and stable Afghanistan. We feel in Pakistan that the Afghans have suffered a lot.
“Similarly, Pakistan also suffered a lot because of war against terrorism. We lost 83,000 lives in the fight against terrorism and suffered economic losses to the tune of $126 billion (Dh462.4 billion) and I am not even counting the lost economic opportunities and possibilities of opening of regional connectivity,” he noted.
He said that withdrawal of US and troops would not have been possible if Pakistan had not played a positive, constructive and facilitating role.
Relations with US
When asked whether there has been a shift in the Pakistan’s foreign policy as the country is leaning more towards Russia and the Central Asian States, Qureshi promptly said: “No. US has always been important player and will remain an important global player. Pakistan is not oblivious to the fact that the US is a global power militarily and economically and even in the field of technology. We have been the most allied of allies, as we always want a good relationship with the US.”
Thaw in relations with Russia
“I am also very pleased the thaw that has taken place between Pakistan and the Russian Federation. Russian foreign minister’s visit to Islamabad was very productive for both sides as we had excellent discussions. I am very satisfied on the new path that we are carving out to build our relationship with Russian Federation and the Central Asian countries. This will open up new opportunities and new markets for Pakistan. My comprehensive approach for a better diplomatic engagements across the world is now paying off,” he explained.
Qureshi further elaborated that apart from US and Russia, Pakistan is also looking at improving relations with other countries. “We have recently signed a strategic engagement plans with the European Union. We also have excellent relations within the Muslim world and we want to cement these relations. I cherish the fact that Pakistan has maintained excellent relations with all Muslim countries despite some challenges in the OIC countries.
French caricatures issue
On the recent mass protests and unrest created in the country by a religious group Tehreeke-Labiak Pakistan after their leader was arrested by the police for threatening to launch a protest campaign against the government if it fails to expel the French diplomats from the country on the issue of caricatures of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH), Qureshi said that the government would never allow a handful of people to kill innocent people, burn properties and bring the country to the standstill. “The government took firm action and proscribed the TLP sending clear message that no one can challenge the writ of the government.”
At the same time, he made it clear, the Pakistan government strongly condemned and always raised strong voice against those making caricatures of Prophet (PBUH). “We always took strong position against those who try to hurt our sentiments.”