Pakistan, which has been isolated on international forums, is once again looking towards the US with hope in the name of normalizing relations with India. During an American event in Islamabad, Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif appealed to the US leadership to initiate a comprehensive dialogue between India and Pakistan. He praised the “peace efforts” of former President Donald Trump and expressed hope that the US could again play a role in reducing tensions between the two nuclear-armed countries.
Shahbaz spoke in Bilawal’s language
Shahbaz’s statement was like a repetition of the claim of former Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto, in which he credited Trump for the ceasefire between India and Pakistan. Bilawal had earlier said that Trump tried more than once to avert war between the two countries and was successful to some extent in it.
Tharoor’s befitting reply: Talks do not take place at gunpoint
MP Shashi Tharoor, head of the all-party delegation that reached the US on behalf of India, made a sharp statement rejecting Pakistan’s initiative. Tharoor said, “India’s stand is clear – terror and talks cannot go together. No country talks to those who attack its children just because the attacker is now ‘talking about peace’.”
‘Pakistan cannot run away from the bitter truth’
Tharoor reminded Pakistan of its own policies and said that the biggest promoter of terrorism is the same country which is now calling itself its victim. He said, “Pakistan is burning in the fire of terrorism today, its spark was sown by Pakistan itself.”
‘Talking about peace from the mouth of the devil’
BJP MP Tejasvi Surya also called Pakistan’s message of peace a sham. He said, “It is ironic if a country which tries to cover up its failed policies through war and terror talks about peace.”
America also inclined towards India
In this entire situation, America’s official stance was also pro-India. US House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Brian Mast justified India’s retaliation to the Pahalgam attack and said that the US wants to see deep cooperation and partnership with India become stronger in the future.