By Arul Louis United Nations, Aug 31 : Pakistan’s spokesperson has stated that even though Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has tweeted a message of sentimental support for the devastating floods that have ravaged his nation, he does not expect the disaster to bring about more friendly relations with India and it’s “logical” in these circumstances for nations to “set aside other considerations and show solidarity and support”.
Pakistan Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Asim Iftikhar stated on Tuesday that the first issues such as Kashmir will need to be addressed to improve relations between the two neighbors and that messages of sympathy alone will not work in the larger context.
When he briefed journalists at the UN headquarters via the video link from Islamabad regarding the flooding in Pakistan, he was asked whether he would like to see more help from India and if a natural disaster like this could help improve relations between both nations.
He also added “I I think that you’ve read the message in Modi’s tweet.
I would say is, you know, it is a humanitarian issue and it’s normal, it’s normal for nations and individuals to put aside other considerations and show support and solidarity.Therefore, in this situation we can are able to understand.”
Modi tweeted on Twitter that he was “saddened to witness the devastation caused by floods in Pakistan.We send our deepest sympathy to the families of the victims as well as the injured, and all those who are affected by this natural disaster and pray for a quick return of normalcy”.
Iftikhar declared the following “talking about the larger picture I’m afraid you’ve never seen this the positive outlook that can create confidence, which would restore the common bond we share with the nation”.
“Despite the goodwill Pakistan has displayed consistently (for) the past six years,, we do not see this reciprocated by our partners who are located across the border” he asserted.
He said that the issue persists and is linked to the lingering issue that is connected to the circumstances in the Kashmir region.It is extremely complicated in Kashmir.
“So these issues must be dealt with” as well as steps and measures need to be taken in order to “create an environment more conducive to dialog”.
India has made it a condition of the restart of dialogue that terrorism across borders must be stopped.
Iftikhar did not respond to the portion of the question regarding awaiting assistance from India.
According to reports from the media in New Delhi, India was looking into offering aid to Pakistan.
In the meantime the Finance Minister of Pakistan Miftah Ismail has been reported to have said that Islamabad might look into imports of vegetables from India due to the destruction of Pakistan’s agriculture.
The magnitude of the destruction in Pakistan, Iftikhar said that more than 33 million people are affected by the floods, that have killed more than 1,000 people, ruined 1 million homes, and destroyed 2 million acres of crops.
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has announced a $160 million appeal for Pakistan flood relief.
In his appeal he declared, “South Asia is one of the world’s most global hotspots for climate catastrophes” as well as “people who live in these hotspots are more than 15 times more likely to die due to the effects of climate change”.
His spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said Guterres is scheduled to travel to Pakistan next week in order to show his solidarity with the families of victims of the catastrophe.
(Arul Louis is reached at [email protected] and he can be followed on Twitter at @arulouis)
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