In an attempt to mend ties, Pakistan’s new Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari said at the United Nations on Thursday that he wants a more broad-based relationship with the US, media reports said. The Pakistani leader also blamed India for 'particularly complicated' ties between the two neighbours. The remarks came during the leader’s first visit to the United States as foreign minister. &nbsp;

"Our relationship with the United States has been colored too much by the geopolitical context in our region, and particularly by the events and circumstances in Afghanistan. We would like to pivot away from a transactory relationship, a one-point agenda relationship, to a more broad-based relationship with a particular emphasis on trade," the FM told reporters. &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/diverting-attention-as-pak-faces-turmoil-at-home-fm-bilawal-rakes-up-jk-issue-in-meet-with-un-chief-480242" hreflang="en">Diverting attention? As Pak faces turmoil at home, FM Bilawal rakes up J&amp;K issue in meet with UN chief</a>

"Pakistan is not insecure about our relationship with the United States and we believe that the world is big enough for both Pakistan and India to exist," the minister said on being asked about competing with India when it comes to ties with Washington. &nbsp;

On relationship with India, Bilawal said the ties had been "particularly complicated" by decision of New Delhi to abrogate Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir. At the moment, the "practical space" for dialogue, economic activity and diplomacy is "very limited", said the minister. &nbsp;

Watch:&nbsp;Pakistan FM Bilawal Bhutto meets US counterpart Antony Blinken

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"As far as the question of our relationship with India is concerned, it is particularly complicated" by their recent actions in Kashmir, firstly the decision to abrogate Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir and secondly, the decision of the delimitation commission on Jammu and Kashmir, Bilawal said.

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(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

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In an attempt to mend ties, Pakistan’s new Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari said at the United Nations on Thursday that he wants a more broad-based relationship with the US, media reports said.

In an attempt to mend ties, Pakistan’s new Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari said at the United Nations on Thursday that he wants a more broad-based relationship with the US, media reports said. The Pakistani leader also blamed India for 'particularly complicated' ties between the two neighbours. The remarks came during the leader’s first visit to the United States as foreign minister. "Our relationship with the United States has been colored too much by the geopolitical context in our region, and particularly by the events and circumstances in Afghanistan. We would like to pivot away from a transactory relationship, a one-point agenda relationship, to a more broad-based relationship with a particular emphasis on trade," the FM told reporters. Also Read: Diverting attention? As Pak faces turmoil at home, FM Bilawal rakes up J&K issue in meet with UN chief "Pakistan is not insecure about our relationship with the United States and we believe that the world is big enough for both Pakistan and India to exist," the minister said on being asked about competing with India when it comes to ties with Washington. On relationship with India, Bilawal said the ties had been "particularly complicated" by decision of New Delhi to abrogate Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir. At the moment, the "practical space" for dialogue, economic activity and diplomacy is "very limited", said the minister. Watch: Pakistan FM Bilawal Bhutto meets US counterpart Antony Blinken × "As far as the question of our relationship with India is concerned, it is particularly complicated" by their recent actions in Kashmir, firstly the decision to abrogate Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir and secondly, the decision of the delimitation commission on Jammu and Kashmir, Bilawal said. WATCH WION LIVE HERE (With inputs from agencies) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. ×

Foreign Minister Bilawal looks to mend relations with US, blames New Delhi for 'complicated' Indo-Pak ties

Pakistan is hoping for "re-engagement" with India after the Lok Sabha polls as structured dialogue will help the two countries understand mutual concerns, resolve disputes and build the edifice of durable peace and security,&nbsp;Pakistani High Commissioner Sohail Mahmood has said.

In an interview to PTI, Mahmood, who has been appointed Pakistan's next Foreign Secretary, also said there was a need for an "objective" narrative about Pakistan in India which could facilitate peaceful, cooperative and good neighbourly ties.

"We hope for re-engagement after the elections in India. Diplomacy and dialogue are indispensable," he said.

The comments came nearly six weeks after<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/journalists-balakot-visit-crude-attempt-by-pak-to-influence-indian-polls-says-ex-us-armyman-209765"> India's military planes struck a terrorist training camp in Pakistan's Balakot </a>and Pakistan's subsequent counter-offensive. The flare-up triggered fears of war and countries like the US and China played a role in de-escalating tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbours.

Mahmood said diplomacy and dialogue are indispensable to improve ties between the two neighbours and that engagement was the only option to understand mutual concerns and ensure peace, prosperity and security in the region.

"Sustained engagement and structured dialogue would enable the two countries to understand mutual concerns and differences, resolve outstanding disputes and build the edifice of durable peace, security and prosperity in the region," Mahmood said.

Mahmood left for Islamabad on Sunday after nearly a 19-month long tenure as Pakistan's envoy to India. He is expected to take up his new assignment on Tuesday. 
He also said that there was a need for a review of the narrative on Pakistan in India.

"There is also a need to review the narrative about Pakistan in India. A narrative is needed that captures the reality in Pakistan objectively and more fully. A narrative that also helps recognise opportunities for peaceful, cooperative and good neighbourly relations," he said.

"We must strive for a stable peace, equal security and shared prosperity for ourselves and the region," the envoy added.

In signs of easing tensions, Pakistan around two weeks back announced that it was releasing 360 Indian prisoners, mostly fishermen as a "goodwill gesture.&nbsp;

The initiative was followed by Pakistan High Commission here granting visas to 2,200 Sikh pilgrims from India to facilitate their participation in the annual Baisakhi celebrations in Pakistan.

Over two weeks after the Balakot strike, India and Pakistan held talks to finalise the modalities for setting up a corridor linking the Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Pakistan's Kartarpur with Gurdaspur district in Punjab.

Asked about the Kartarpur corridor project, the Pakistani High Commissioner said Islamabad was committed to completing the physical infrastructure on its side.

"The government of Pakistan is proceeding in full measures to complete the physical infrastructure on its side and it is hopeful that the modalities will be mutually agreed between the two sides in good time before November 2019," he said.

In a major initiative last November, both India and Pakistan agreed to set up the Kartarpur corridor to link the historic Gurdwara Darbar Sahib -- the final resting place of Sikh faith's founder Guru Nanak Dev -- to Dera Baba Nanak in Gurdaspur.

Kartarpur Sahib is located in Pakistan's Narowal district across the river Ravi, about four kilometres from the Dera Baba Nanak shrine.

In another significant move in May last year, India and Pakistan agreed to adhere to the ceasefire agreement along the Line of Control after a spate of cross-border firings between the two sides along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir.

The relations between India and Pakistan remained tense since 2016. Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif had travelled to Delhi to attend Modi's oath taking ceremony and the Indian premier had in December 2015 made a stopover in Lahore to greet his counterpart on his birthday.

However, the ties nose-dived following a string of cross-border terror attacks in 2016 and India's subsequent surgical strikes.

After the terror attack on Pathankot airbase in January 2016, India had announced that it will not engage in talks with Islamabad until it stops cross-border terrorism.

The sentencing of alleged Indian spy Kulbhushan Jadhav to death by a military court in April 2017 further deteriorated bilateral ties.

Pakistan is hoping for "re-engagement" with India after the Lok Sabha polls as structured dialogue will help the two countries understand mutual concerns, resolve disputes and build the edifice of durable peace and security, Pakistani High Commissioner Sohail Mahmood has said.

Pakistan is hoping for "re-engagement" with India after the Lok Sabha polls as structured dialogue will help the two countries understand mutual concerns, resolve disputes and build the edifice of durable peace and security, Pakistani High Commissioner Sohail Mahmood has said. In an interview to PTI, Mahmood, who has been appointed Pakistan's next Foreign Secretary, also said there was a need for an "objective" narrative about Pakistan in India which could facilitate peaceful, cooperative and good neighbourly ties. "We hope for re-engagement after the elections in India. Diplomacy and dialogue are indispensable," he said. The comments came nearly six weeks after India's military planes struck a terrorist training camp in Pakistan's Balakot and Pakistan's subsequent counter-offensive. The flare-up triggered fears of war and countries like the US and China played a role in de-escalating tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbours. Mahmood said diplomacy and dialogue are indispensable to improve ties between the two neighbours and that engagement was the only option to understand mutual concerns and ensure peace, prosperity and security in the region. "Sustained engagement and structured dialogue would enable the two countries to understand mutual concerns and differences, resolve outstanding disputes and build the edifice of durable peace, security and prosperity in the region," Mahmood said. Mahmood left for Islamabad on Sunday after nearly a 19-month long tenure as Pakistan's envoy to India. He is expected to take up his new assignment on Tuesday. He also said that there was a need for a review of the narrative on Pakistan in India. "There is also a need to review the narrative about Pakistan in India. A narrative is needed that captures the reality in Pakistan objectively and more fully. A narrative that also helps recognise opportunities for peaceful, cooperative and good neighbourly relations," he said. "We must strive for a stable peace, equal security and shared prosperity for ourselves and the region," the envoy added. In signs of easing tensions, Pakistan around two weeks back announced that it was releasing 360 Indian prisoners, mostly fishermen as a "goodwill gesture. The initiative was followed by Pakistan High Commission here granting visas to 2,200 Sikh pilgrims from India to facilitate their participation in the annual Baisakhi celebrations in Pakistan. Over two weeks after the Balakot strike, India and Pakistan held talks to finalise the modalities for setting up a corridor linking the Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Pakistan's Kartarpur with Gurdaspur district in Punjab. Asked about the Kartarpur corridor project, the Pakistani High Commissioner said Islamabad was committed to completing the physical infrastructure on its side. "The government of Pakistan is proceeding in full measures to complete the physical infrastructure on its side and it is hopeful that the modalities will be mutually agreed between the two sides in good time before November 2019," he said. In a major initiative last November, both India and Pakistan agreed to set up the Kartarpur corridor to link the historic Gurdwara Darbar Sahib -- the final resting place of Sikh faith's founder Guru Nanak Dev -- to Dera Baba Nanak in Gurdaspur. Kartarpur Sahib is located in Pakistan's Narowal district across the river Ravi, about four kilometres from the Dera Baba Nanak shrine. In another significant move in May last year, India and Pakistan agreed to adhere to the ceasefire agreement along the Line of Control after a spate of cross-border firings between the two sides along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir. The relations between India and Pakistan remained tense since 2016. Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif had travelled to Delhi to attend Modi's oath taking ceremony and the Indian premier had in December 2015 made a stopover in Lahore to greet his counterpart on his birthday. However, the ties nose-dived following a string of cross-border terror attacks in 2016 and India's subsequent surgical strikes. After the terror attack on Pathankot airbase in January 2016, India had announced that it will not engage in talks with Islamabad until it stops cross-border terrorism. The sentencing of alleged Indian spy Kulbhushan Jadhav to death by a military court in April 2017 further deteriorated bilateral ties.

Need for an objective narrative about Pakistan in India: Sohail Mahmood

In a bid to counter anti-India propaganda by Pakistan through its radio penetration, India on Monday launched an FM station for the border belt near Amritsar that can be heard 50 km into the Pakistani territory.

A 20kW FM transmitter of the All India Radio (AIR) located at Gharinda close to the international border near Amritsar was formally inaugurated by Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Vijay Sampla, an AIR statement said.

The transmitter, that will be used for both domestic and external broadcast, is of immense strategic importance as programmes radiated from the transmitter can be heard in a radius of 90 km, including up to 50 km inside Pakistan, it said.

Sampla, while inaugurating the transmitter, told reporters that it will help in resolving the issues of non-availability of good quality signals of AIR in Amritsar and surrounding areas, and also help in countering malicious anti-India propaganda unleashed by radio channels from across the border.

The minister expressed hope that the content of the channel would also go a long way in bridging people-to-people contact among the Punjabi speaking people of the two countries.

Chairman Prasar Bharati Surya Prakash said on the occasion that as a public service broadcaster, Prasar Bharati and its two constituents All India Radio and Doordarshan, were committed to playing a catalytic role in the development of the country.

Lauding the role of AIR, the Prasar Bharati Chairman said that AIR has always been at the forefront of preserving the country's cultural heritage and integrity.

Director General AIR Fayyaz Sheheryar said the FM transmitter shall ensure stereo quality listening of radio programmes in the region.

To begin with, the transmitter will carry an assortment of programmes broadcast in Punjabi by FM Rainbow Channel of AIR Jalandhar, 'Des Punjab', and programmes in Saraiki language. Popular programmes of Urdu service of the External Services Division, AIR, will also be broadcast, the statement said.

Des Punjab programme and the programmes in Saraiki which are presently broadcast on medium wave are immensely popular in Pakistan as these are specially devised to focus on the commonality of the Punjabi culture and heritage between the two halves of Punjab, it said.

Initially the transmitter shall carry programmes for 18 hours per day from 6.00 AM to 12.00 midnight.

Amritsar and surrounding areas are inundated by radio programmes broadcast from across the border. The content broadcast from across the border is often found to be not conducive to India's national interest and needs to be countered, the statement said.

This transmitter, due to its strategic location, would provide for countering of any misleading anti-India propaganda and put India's point of view in the correct perspective, it said.&nbsp;

In a bid to counter anti-India propaganda by Pakistan through its radio penetration, India on Monday launched an FM station for the border belt near Amritsar that can be heard 50 km into the Pakistani territory.

In a bid to counter anti-India propaganda by Pakistan through its radio penetration, India on Monday launched an FM station for the border belt near Amritsar that can be heard 50 km into the Pakistani territory. A 20kW FM transmitter of the All India Radio (AIR) located at Gharinda close to the international border near Amritsar was formally inaugurated by Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Vijay Sampla, an AIR statement said. The transmitter, that will be used for both domestic and external broadcast, is of immense strategic importance as programmes radiated from the transmitter can be heard in a radius of 90 km, including up to 50 km inside Pakistan, it said. Sampla, while inaugurating the transmitter, told reporters that it will help in resolving the issues of non-availability of good quality signals of AIR in Amritsar and surrounding areas, and also help in countering malicious anti-India propaganda unleashed by radio channels from across the border. The minister expressed hope that the content of the channel would also go a long way in bridging people-to-people contact among the Punjabi speaking people of the two countries. Chairman Prasar Bharati Surya Prakash said on the occasion that as a public service broadcaster, Prasar Bharati and its two constituents All India Radio and Doordarshan, were committed to playing a catalytic role in the development of the country. Lauding the role of AIR, the Prasar Bharati Chairman said that AIR has always been at the forefront of preserving the country's cultural heritage and integrity. Director General AIR Fayyaz Sheheryar said the FM transmitter shall ensure stereo quality listening of radio programmes in the region. To begin with, the transmitter will carry an assortment of programmes broadcast in Punjabi by FM Rainbow Channel of AIR Jalandhar, 'Des Punjab', and programmes in Saraiki language. Popular programmes of Urdu service of the External Services Division, AIR, will also be broadcast, the statement said. Des Punjab programme and the programmes in Saraiki which are presently broadcast on medium wave are immensely popular in Pakistan as these are specially devised to focus on the commonality of the Punjabi culture and heritage between the two halves of Punjab, it said. Initially the transmitter shall carry programmes for 18 hours per day from 6.00 AM to 12.00 midnight. Amritsar and surrounding areas are inundated by radio programmes broadcast from across the border. The content broadcast from across the border is often found to be not conducive to India's national interest and needs to be countered, the statement said. This transmitter, due to its strategic location, would provide for countering of any misleading anti-India propaganda and put India's point of view in the correct perspective, it said.

AIR launches FM station in border belt to counter Pak's anti-India propaganda

A day after expressing his <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/imran-khan-slams-india-calling-talks-167114">disappointment over the cancellation of talks</a> between the foreign ministers of Pakistan and India, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan said on Sunday that Pakistan's offer of "friendship" should not be considered a weakness.

He further added that the Indian leadership should shun its "arrogance" and hold peace talks.

Addressing Punjab bureaucrats in Lahore, Khan said, "I hope the Indian leadership will shun arrogance and hold (peace) talks with Pakistan.

Our offer of friendship should not be considered as our weakness. The friendship between Pakistan and India will help overcome poverty."

Khan said Pakistan "should not be threatened as it will not tolerate any act of hostility."&nbsp;

"Friendship (between Pakistan and India) is in the benefit of both the countries. We will not take pressure of any world power," he added.

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The<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/true-face-imran-khan-revealed-says-mea-after-calling-talks-pak-167000"> meeting between Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj and her Pakistani counterpart </a>Shah Mahmood Qureshi which was scheduled to be held on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York this month was cancelled by India on Friday.

India called off the meeting after the "brutal" killing of three policemen in Jammu and Kashmir as well as the release of the postal stamps "glorifying" Kashmiri militant Burhan Wani.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/after-paks-imran-khan-writes-letter-to-modi-india-says-foreign-ministers-will-meet-in-new-york-166860">India initially agreed to a meeting </a>between the foreign ministers of the two countries after Khan's letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, seeking to re-start bilateral talks on key issues including on terrorism and Kashmir.

In a sharp reaction to India's cancellation of the meeting, Khan on Saturday said that India's decision to cancel the foreign minister-level talks in New York was "arrogant" and asserted that he was "disappointed" by the New Delhi's "negative" response.&nbsp;

Ties between India and Pakistan nose-dived following a spate of terror attacks on Indian military bases by Pakistan based terror groups since January 2016. Following the strikes, India announced it will not engage in talks with Pakistan, saying terror and talks cannot go hand-in-hand.&nbsp;

(With inputs from PTI)

&nbsp;

A day after expressing his disappointment over the cancellation of talks between the foreign ministers of Pakistan and India, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan said on Sunday that Pakistan's offer of "friendship" should not be considered a weakness.

A day after expressing his disappointment over the cancellation of talks between the foreign ministers of Pakistan and India, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan said on Sunday that Pakistan's offer of "friendship" should not be considered a weakness. He further added that the Indian leadership should shun its "arrogance" and hold peace talks. Addressing Punjab bureaucrats in Lahore, Khan said, "I hope the Indian leadership will shun arrogance and hold (peace) talks with Pakistan. Our offer of friendship should not be considered as our weakness. The friendship between Pakistan and India will help overcome poverty." Khan said Pakistan "should not be threatened as it will not tolerate any act of hostility." "Friendship (between Pakistan and India) is in the benefit of both the countries. We will not take pressure of any world power," he added. × The meeting between Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj and her Pakistani counterpart Shah Mahmood Qureshi which was scheduled to be held on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York this month was cancelled by India on Friday. India called off the meeting after the "brutal" killing of three policemen in Jammu and Kashmir as well as the release of the postal stamps "glorifying" Kashmiri militant Burhan Wani. India initially agreed to a meeting between the foreign ministers of the two countries after Khan's letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, seeking to re-start bilateral talks on key issues including on terrorism and Kashmir. In a sharp reaction to India's cancellation of the meeting, Khan on Saturday said that India's decision to cancel the foreign minister-level talks in New York was "arrogant" and asserted that he was "disappointed" by the New Delhi's "negative" response. Ties between India and Pakistan nose-dived following a spate of terror attacks on Indian military bases by Pakistan based terror groups since January 2016. Following the strikes, India announced it will not engage in talks with Pakistan, saying terror and talks cannot go hand-in-hand. (With inputs from PTI)

Pak's offer of 'friendship' should not be seen as weakness, Imran Khan tells India

The April meeting between Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Indian steel tycoon Sajjan Jindal was &quot;a part of a back-channel diplomacy&quot;, Pakistan&#39;s civil leadership informed the Army officials.

According to Geo News, Prime Minister Sharif, during one of his recent meetings with Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Bajwa, had taken the latter into confidence over Jindal&#39;s visit to Pakistan.

Jindal went to Pakistan to reduce tension between the two neighbouring countries, Geo News quoted a BBC Urdu report, as saying.

The report also stated that COAS Bajwa also took his officials into confidence over the matter.

Earlier in April, businessman and entrepreneur Sajjan Jindal made a visit to Pakistan and met Nawaz Sharif.

Sajjan Jindal, along with other businessmen, met PM Nawaz Sharif in Murree.

The meeting came at a time when the two neighbouring nations were going through turbulent times.

(ANI)

According to Geo News, Prime Minister Sharif, during one of his recent meetings with Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Bajwa, had taken the latter into confidence over Jindal's visit to Pakistan

The April meeting between Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Indian steel tycoon Sajjan Jindal was "a part of a back-channel diplomacy", Pakistan's civil leadership informed the Army officials. According to Geo News, Prime Minister Sharif, during one of his recent meetings with Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Bajwa, had taken the latter into confidence over Jindal's visit to Pakistan. Jindal went to Pakistan to reduce tension between the two neighbouring countries, Geo News quoted a BBC Urdu report, as saying. The report also stated that COAS Bajwa also took his officials into confidence over the matter. Earlier in April, businessman and entrepreneur Sajjan Jindal made a visit to Pakistan and met Nawaz Sharif. Sajjan Jindal, along with other businessmen, met PM Nawaz Sharif in Murree. The meeting came at a time when the two neighbouring nations were going through turbulent times. (ANI)

Pakistan's PM Nawaz Sharif says meeting with Jindal part of back-channel diplomacy

The Trump administration on Thursday blamed Pakistan for deteriorating Indo-Pak relations and warned that the ties might worsen further if another &quot;high- profile&quot; terrorist attack emanates from across the border this year.

&quot;Islamabad&#39;s failure to curb support to anti-India militants and New Delhi&#39;s growing intolerance of this policy, coupled with a perceived lack of progress in Pakistan&#39;s investigations into the January 2016 Pathankot cross-border attack, set the stage for a deterioration of bilateral relations in 2016,&quot; Daniel Coats, director of National Intelligence, told lawmakers during a Congressional hearing.

Testifying before the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence along with top intelligence officials, Coats said the relations between India and Pakistan became more tense following two major terrorist attacks in 2016 by militants crossing into India from Pakistan.

&quot;They might deteriorate further in 2017, especially in the event of another high-profile terrorist attack in India that New Delhi attributes to originating in or receiving assistance from Pakistan,&quot; Coats said in his testimony before the Senate committee on worldwide threats.

Supporting India&#39;s pre-condition for bilateral talks on Islamabad stopping support to cross border terrorism, Coats said increasing numbers of cross-firing along the Line of Control, including the use of artillery and mortars, might aggravate the risk of unintended escalation between the two countries.

&quot;Easing of heightened Indo-Pak tension, including negotiations to renew official dialogue, will probably hinge in 2017 on a sharp and sustained reduction of cross-border attacks by terrorist groups based in Pakistan and progress in the Pathankot investigation&quot;, Coats said.

Last year, heavily-armed terrorists sneaked in from across the border and attacked the Pathankot Air Force Station in Punjab. The attack had claimed the lives of seven security personnel while four terrorists were killed.

Coats said Pakistan is concerned about its international isolation due to its dwindling position against India&#39;s rising international status, expanded foreign outreach and deepening ties with the US. Pakistan will likely turn to China to offset its isolation, empowering a relationship that will help Beijing to project influence into the Indian Ocean, said the top US intelligence official.

In his remarks ahead of the possible release of the Afghanistan policy of the Trump Administration, he said &quot;Pakistan-based terrorist groups will present a sustained threat to the US interests in the region and continue to plan and conduct attacks in India and Afghanistan.&quot;

&quot;The threat to the US and the West from Pakistani-based terrorist groups will be persistent but diffuse. Plotting against the US homeland will be conducted on a more opportunistic basis or driven by individual members within these groups,&quot;&nbsp;he told members of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence.

Noting that Pakistan will probably be able to manage its internal security, he said anti-Pakistan groups are likely to focus more on soft targets.

&quot;The groups we judge will pose the greatest threat to Pakistan&#39;s internal security include Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan, Jamaat ui-Ahrar, al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent, ISIS-K, Laskhare Jhangvi, and Lashkar-e Jhangvi ai-Aiami, he said, adding that the emerging China Pakistan Economic Corridor will probably offer militants and terrorists additional targets.&quot;

Pakistan&#39;s pursuit of tactical nuclear weapons potentially lowers the threshold for their use, Coats warned.

&quot;Early deployment during a crisis of smaller, more mobile nuclear weapons would increase the amount of time that systems would be outside the relative security of a storage site, increasing the risk that a coordinated attack by non-state actors might succeed in capturing a complete nuclear weapon&quot;,he said.

(PTI)

Testifying before the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence along with top intelligence officials, director of National Intelligence?Coats said the relations between India and Pakistan became more tense following two major terrorist attacks in 2016 by militants crossing into India from Pakistan.

The Trump administration on Thursday blamed Pakistan for deteriorating Indo-Pak relations and warned that the ties might worsen further if another "high- profile" terrorist attack emanates from across the border this year. "Islamabad's failure to curb support to anti-India militants and New Delhi's growing intolerance of this policy, coupled with a perceived lack of progress in Pakistan's investigations into the January 2016 Pathankot cross-border attack, set the stage for a deterioration of bilateral relations in 2016," Daniel Coats, director of National Intelligence, told lawmakers during a Congressional hearing. Testifying before the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence along with top intelligence officials, Coats said the relations between India and Pakistan became more tense following two major terrorist attacks in 2016 by militants crossing into India from Pakistan. "They might deteriorate further in 2017, especially in the event of another high-profile terrorist attack in India that New Delhi attributes to originating in or receiving assistance from Pakistan," Coats said in his testimony before the Senate committee on worldwide threats. Supporting India's pre-condition for bilateral talks on Islamabad stopping support to cross border terrorism, Coats said increasing numbers of cross-firing along the Line of Control, including the use of artillery and mortars, might aggravate the risk of unintended escalation between the two countries. "Easing of heightened Indo-Pak tension, including negotiations to renew official dialogue, will probably hinge in 2017 on a sharp and sustained reduction of cross-border attacks by terrorist groups based in Pakistan and progress in the Pathankot investigation", Coats said. Last year, heavily-armed terrorists sneaked in from across the border and attacked the Pathankot Air Force Station in Punjab. The attack had claimed the lives of seven security personnel while four terrorists were killed. Coats said Pakistan is concerned about its international isolation due to its dwindling position against India's rising international status, expanded foreign outreach and deepening ties with the US. Pakistan will likely turn to China to offset its isolation, empowering a relationship that will help Beijing to project influence into the Indian Ocean, said the top US intelligence official. In his remarks ahead of the possible release of the Afghanistan policy of the Trump Administration, he said "Pakistan-based terrorist groups will present a sustained threat to the US interests in the region and continue to plan and conduct attacks in India and Afghanistan." "The threat to the US and the West from Pakistani-based terrorist groups will be persistent but diffuse. Plotting against the US homeland will be conducted on a more opportunistic basis or driven by individual members within these groups," he told members of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence. Noting that Pakistan will probably be able to manage its internal security, he said anti-Pakistan groups are likely to focus more on soft targets. "The groups we judge will pose the greatest threat to Pakistan's internal security include Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan, Jamaat ui-Ahrar, al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent, ISIS-K, Laskhare Jhangvi, and Lashkar-e Jhangvi ai-Aiami, he said, adding that the emerging China Pakistan Economic Corridor will probably offer militants and terrorists additional targets." Pakistan's pursuit of tactical nuclear weapons potentially lowers the threshold for their use, Coats warned. "Early deployment during a crisis of smaller, more mobile nuclear weapons would increase the amount of time that systems would be outside the relative security of a storage site, increasing the risk that a coordinated attack by non-state actors might succeed in capturing a complete nuclear weapon",he said. (PTI)

US blames Pakistan for deteriorating Indo-Pak ties

Top US experts have expressed concern over Pakistan&#39;s decision to give the death penalty to Indian national Kulbhushan Jadhav as they warned that Islamabad wants to send a &quot;strong message&quot; to India against isolating it on the world stage.

Jadhav, 46, was given the death sentence by military Field General Court Martial under the army act for his alleged involvement in terrorism and espionage. The death sentence was confirmed by army chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa.

&quot;Apart from the gross irregularities in the Jadhav situation, such as the lack of consular access and the secrecy surrounding the surprise court-martial, what struck me the most is the contrast between the speed of Mr Jadhav&#39;s trial set against the endless postponements for that of the Mumbai attackers,&quot; Alyssa Ayres, a former senior State Department official in its South and Central Asia Bureau said.

&quot;The latter case, by contrast, has been in a continual state of prolongation for nearly nine years,&quot; Ayres told PTI.

She is currently senior fellow for India, Pakistan and South Asia at the Council on Foreign Relations, a top American think-tank.

Bharat Gopalaswamy, director of South Asia Center at the Atlantic Council, a Washington-DC based top US think-tank, believes that the evidence warranting Jadhav&#39;s conviction &quot;is rather flimsy&quot; and the story by the Pakistani authorities &quot;do not add up&quot;.

Without furnishing further evidence, this conviction as it stands, &quot;seems to be politically motivated&quot; in order to counter India&#39;s aggressive diplomacy against Pakistan in combating terrorism, he said.

&quot;This whole story is shrouded in mystery and uncertainty, but it seems clear that Pakistan wants to send a very strong message to India, whether to warn New Delhi against meddling in Pakistan or to push back in a big way against India&#39;s efforts to isolate Pakistan on the world stage,&quot; said Michael Kugelman, deputy director and senior associate for South Asia at the prestigious Woodrow Wilson Center.

&quot;At the same time, given how much India will want to ensure that Yadav isn&#39;t executed, Pakistan now has a very large bargaining chip at its disposal. Pakistan may want to use Yadav as a trump card to get some type of major concession from India,&quot; Kugelman said.

&quot;The bottom line is that India-Pakistan relations are on life support. We can kiss goodbye any immediate prospects for resuming dialogue, though that wasn&#39;t a very strong possibility even before the announcement about Yadav&#39;s death sentence. Ultimately, India and Pakistan face some very dark and dangerous days ahead,&quot;&nbsp;he said.

Also Read: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/preview/article/14403">Pakistan responds to Sushma Swaraj&#39;s statement, says&nbsp;it can defend itself</a> &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

According to Sameer Lalwani, senior associate and deputy director for Stimson&#39;s South Asia program, said the decision and timing of Jadhav&#39;s execution sentence &quot;appears puzzling&quot; because in many ways it does not seem to work in Pakistan&#39;s self-interest.

&quot;If Jadhav posed a threat and Pakistan wanted to send a deterrent signal to potential saboteurs of CPEC and Gwadar, they could have executed him months ago after his intelligence value had been exhausted,&quot; Lalwani said.

&quot;If Pakistan wanted to exploit Jadhav&#39;s capture for diplomatic purposes by showcasing evidence of Indian sub-conventional aggression, Pakistan still has yet to convince the international community and an execution raises suspicions,&quot; Lalwani said.

&quot;Finally, if the Indians care that much about Jadhav, Pakistan could have used him as a bargaining chip. Perhaps the sentence is an opening bargaining gambit but actually executing Jadhav may not be reaping much of a deterrent signal for Pakistan while foreclosing on diplomatic or trade value,&quot; he said.

Both the State Department and the White House refused to comment on the sentencing of Jadhav.

&quot;We have seen these reports. We refer you to the governments of India and Pakistan for further information,&quot; a State Department spokesperson said.

(PTI)

Jadhav was given the death sentence by military Field General Court Martial for his alleged involvement in terrorism and espionage

Top US experts have expressed concern over Pakistan's decision to give the death penalty to Indian national Kulbhushan Jadhav as they warned that Islamabad wants to send a "strong message" to India against isolating it on the world stage. Jadhav, 46, was given the death sentence by military Field General Court Martial under the army act for his alleged involvement in terrorism and espionage. The death sentence was confirmed by army chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa. "Apart from the gross irregularities in the Jadhav situation, such as the lack of consular access and the secrecy surrounding the surprise court-martial, what struck me the most is the contrast between the speed of Mr Jadhav's trial set against the endless postponements for that of the Mumbai attackers," Alyssa Ayres, a former senior State Department official in its South and Central Asia Bureau said. "The latter case, by contrast, has been in a continual state of prolongation for nearly nine years," Ayres told PTI. She is currently senior fellow for India, Pakistan and South Asia at the Council on Foreign Relations, a top American think-tank. Bharat Gopalaswamy, director of South Asia Center at the Atlantic Council, a Washington-DC based top US think-tank, believes that the evidence warranting Jadhav's conviction "is rather flimsy" and the story by the Pakistani authorities "do not add up". Without furnishing further evidence, this conviction as it stands, "seems to be politically motivated" in order to counter India's aggressive diplomacy against Pakistan in combating terrorism, he said. "This whole story is shrouded in mystery and uncertainty, but it seems clear that Pakistan wants to send a very strong message to India, whether to warn New Delhi against meddling in Pakistan or to push back in a big way against India's efforts to isolate Pakistan on the world stage," said Michael Kugelman, deputy director and senior associate for South Asia at the prestigious Woodrow Wilson Center. "At the same time, given how much India will want to ensure that Yadav isn't executed, Pakistan now has a very large bargaining chip at its disposal. Pakistan may want to use Yadav as a trump card to get some type of major concession from India," Kugelman said. "The bottom line is that India-Pakistan relations are on life support. We can kiss goodbye any immediate prospects for resuming dialogue, though that wasn't a very strong possibility even before the announcement about Yadav's death sentence. Ultimately, India and Pakistan face some very dark and dangerous days ahead," he said. Also Read: Pakistan responds to Sushma Swaraj's statement, says it can defend itself According to Sameer Lalwani, senior associate and deputy director for Stimson's South Asia program, said the decision and timing of Jadhav's execution sentence "appears puzzling" because in many ways it does not seem to work in Pakistan's self-interest. "If Jadhav posed a threat and Pakistan wanted to send a deterrent signal to potential saboteurs of CPEC and Gwadar, they could have executed him months ago after his intelligence value had been exhausted," Lalwani said. "If Pakistan wanted to exploit Jadhav's capture for diplomatic purposes by showcasing evidence of Indian sub-conventional aggression, Pakistan still has yet to convince the international community and an execution raises suspicions," Lalwani said. "Finally, if the Indians care that much about Jadhav, Pakistan could have used him as a bargaining chip. Perhaps the sentence is an opening bargaining gambit but actually executing Jadhav may not be reaping much of a deterrent signal for Pakistan while foreclosing on diplomatic or trade value," he said. Both the State Department and the White House refused to comment on the sentencing of Jadhav. "We have seen these reports. We refer you to the governments of India and Pakistan for further information," a State Department spokesperson said. (PTI)

US experts question Kulbhushan Jadhav's death sentence

As tensions continue to fester between India and Pakistan following the September 18 Uri attack that left at least 18 Indian soldiers dead, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has now called for a meeting to review the Most Favoured Nation status to the neighbouring country.

&nbsp;

After insisting that &quot;blood and water cannot flow together&quot; while referring to the Indus Water Treaty with Pakistan during a meeting held yesterday, Modi will now hold a review meet on Thursday to discuss the Most Favoured Nation Status.

&nbsp;

Officials from the Indian ministry of external affairs and commerce ministry, along with other top officials, are expected to attend the meeting, local media reported.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

It&#39;s pertinent to mention that Indian minister of external affairs Sushma Swaraj also talked tough&nbsp;on Monday while addressing the United Nations and said that Kashmir Valley is an integral part of India.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

What is MFN status?&nbsp;

MFN status is when a country enjoys the best trade terms given by its trading partner, according to the World Trade Organisation.&nbsp;This also means that the favoured nation also receives the lowest tariffs, lesser number of trade barriers, and highest import quotas (or none at all).&nbsp;

&nbsp;

In other words, it may be said, that all &#39;Most Favoured Nation&#39; trade partners must be treated equally.

&nbsp;

Under the WTO agreements, countries cannot normally discriminate between their trading partners. This principle is known as Most-Favoured-Nation (MFN) treatment.

&nbsp;

India&ndash;Pakistan trade relations, however,&nbsp;are abysmally low accounting for less than half a per cent of India&rsquo;s total global trade involving both exports and imports, India&#39;s apex industry body ASSOCHAM has said.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

(WION with inputs from agenies)&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

After talking tough on Indus Water Treaty, Indian Prime Minister will now hold a review meeting on Thursday to review the MFN status

As tensions continue to fester between India and Pakistan following the September 18 Uri attack that left at least 18 Indian soldiers dead, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has now called for a meeting to review the Most Favoured Nation status to the neighbouring country. After insisting that "blood and water cannot flow together" while referring to the Indus Water Treaty with Pakistan during a meeting held yesterday, Modi will now hold a review meet on Thursday to discuss the Most Favoured Nation Status. Officials from the Indian ministry of external affairs and commerce ministry, along with other top officials, are expected to attend the meeting, local media reported. It's pertinent to mention that Indian minister of external affairs Sushma Swaraj also talked tough on Monday while addressing the United Nations and said that Kashmir Valley is an integral part of India. What is MFN status? MFN status is when a country enjoys the best trade terms given by its trading partner, according to the World Trade Organisation. This also means that the favoured nation also receives the lowest tariffs, lesser number of trade barriers, and highest import quotas (or none at all). In other words, it may be said, that all 'Most Favoured Nation' trade partners must be treated equally. Under the WTO agreements, countries cannot normally discriminate between their trading partners. This principle is known as Most-Favoured-Nation (MFN) treatment. India–Pakistan trade relations, however, are abysmally low accounting for less than half a per cent of India’s total global trade involving both exports and imports, India's apex industry body ASSOCHAM has said. (WION with inputs from agenies)

India to review Most Favoured Nation status to Pakistan

Two days after Pakistan invited India for foreign secretary-level talks on Kashmir, saying it is the &ldquo;international obligation&rdquo; of both the countries to resolve the issue, India today said &quot;terror still remains the core concern that needed to be talked about&quot;.&nbsp; 
 
&quot;Since aspects related to cross-border terrorism are central to the current situation in Jammu and Kashmir, India has proposed that discussions between the foreign secretaries be focussed on them,&quot; Indian foreign secretary conveyed in a statement to his Pakistan counterpart.&nbsp; 
 
A section of Indian media, however, interpreted it as the country&#39;s rejection of Pakistan&#39;s proposal to hold talks on Kashmir. 
 
Pakistan foreign office spokesman Nafees Zakaria had earlier said in a statement that Indian high commissioner Gautam Bambawale was called to hand over a letter of invitation for talks. 
 
&ldquo;The foreign secretary called in the Indian high commissioner this afternoon [Monday], and handed over a letter addressed to his Indian counterpart, inviting him to visit Pakistan for talks on Jammu and Kashmir dispute that has been the main bone of contention between India and Pakistan,&rdquo; Zakaria said. 
 
The invitation was extended amid tension in bilateral ties due to the war of words between the two nations over the issue.&nbsp;In response to the invitation, the Indian foreign secretary has conveyed his willingness to visit Islamabad. 
 
&quot;India rejects in their entirety the self-serving allegations regarding the situation in northernmost state Jammu and Kashmir, which is an integral part of India where Pakistan has no locus standi,&quot; the statement read.&nbsp; 
 
Pakistan&rsquo;s adviser on foreign affairs said last week that a conference of envoys of Pakistan earlier this month had agreed that Islamabad seek talks with New Delhi.&nbsp;Meanwhile, the Kashmir Valley has remained on a boil for over a month after the death of Hizbul Mujahideen millitant commander Burhan Wani.&nbsp; 
 
(WION with inputs from PTI)&nbsp;

Pakistan's invitation was extended amid tensions in bilateral ties over the ongoing Kashmir dispute

Two days after Pakistan invited India for foreign secretary-level talks on Kashmir, saying it is the “international obligation” of both the countries to resolve the issue, India today said "terror still remains the core concern that needed to be talked about". "Since aspects related to cross-border terrorism are central to the current situation in Jammu and Kashmir, India has proposed that discussions between the foreign secretaries be focussed on them," Indian foreign secretary conveyed in a statement to his Pakistan counterpart. A section of Indian media, however, interpreted it as the country's rejection of Pakistan's proposal to hold talks on Kashmir. Pakistan foreign office spokesman Nafees Zakaria had earlier said in a statement that Indian high commissioner Gautam Bambawale was called to hand over a letter of invitation for talks. “The foreign secretary called in the Indian high commissioner this afternoon [Monday], and handed over a letter addressed to his Indian counterpart, inviting him to visit Pakistan for talks on Jammu and Kashmir dispute that has been the main bone of contention between India and Pakistan,” Zakaria said. The invitation was extended amid tension in bilateral ties due to the war of words between the two nations over the issue. In response to the invitation, the Indian foreign secretary has conveyed his willingness to visit Islamabad. "India rejects in their entirety the self-serving allegations regarding the situation in northernmost state Jammu and Kashmir, which is an integral part of India where Pakistan has no locus standi," the statement read. Pakistan’s adviser on foreign affairs said last week that a conference of envoys of Pakistan earlier this month had agreed that Islamabad seek talks with New Delhi. Meanwhile, the Kashmir Valley has remained on a boil for over a month after the death of Hizbul Mujahideen millitant commander Burhan Wani. (WION with inputs from PTI)

Terrorism remains core concern: India responds to Pak's talks proposal

Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is considering an array of factors as the country braces up for the appointment of next army chief, the Dawn has reported.&nbsp; 
 
Lieutenant general Zubair Hayat, lieutenant&nbsp;general Ishfaq Nadeem Ahmed, lieutenant&nbsp; general Javed Iqbal Ramday, and lieutenant &nbsp;general Qamar Javed Bajwa are the four prospective candidates to take over lieutenant general Raheel Sharif, the report says.&nbsp; 
 
Interestingly, the daily mentions that among that the Pakistan Prime Minister is relying on intelligence inputs for the selection process and &#39;India factor&#39; would also be one of the aspects that would be considered &nbsp;by Sharif.&nbsp; 
 
The prospective candidates&#39; views on foreign policy issues, particularly ties with India, is another point of consideration for Shairf, the Dawn says.&nbsp; 
 
Quoting an anonymous politician, who is close to Sharif, the daily says that the Pakistan Prime Minister has considered officers who have been directly in contact with him. 
 
Meanwhile, Lt Gen Bajwa is said to consider extremism a bigger threat for the country than India even after his extreme involvement in Kashmir and northern areas, the report reads.&nbsp; 
 
While on the other hand, Lt Gen Hayat has worked in the artillery and is currently serving in the chief of general staff. Further, Lt Gen Ramday is ex-president of the National Defence University in Islamabad and now leads the Bahawalpur corps, it says.&nbsp; 
 
&quot;Gen Raheel Sharif would not like to become controversial and would not like the Prime Minister to use his recommendation as an excuse to distort the seniority list,&quot; a retired general was quoted as saying. 
 
(WION)&nbsp;

'The prospective candidates' views on foreign policy issues, particularly ties with India, is point of consideration for Pakistan PM'

Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is considering an array of factors as the country braces up for the appointment of next army chief, the Dawn has reported. Lieutenant general Zubair Hayat, lieutenant general Ishfaq Nadeem Ahmed, lieutenant general Javed Iqbal Ramday, and lieutenant general Qamar Javed Bajwa are the four prospective candidates to take over lieutenant general Raheel Sharif, the report says. Interestingly, the daily mentions that among that the Pakistan Prime Minister is relying on intelligence inputs for the selection process and 'India factor' would also be one of the aspects that would be considered by Sharif. The prospective candidates' views on foreign policy issues, particularly ties with India, is another point of consideration for Shairf, the Dawn says. Quoting an anonymous politician, who is close to Sharif, the daily says that the Pakistan Prime Minister has considered officers who have been directly in contact with him. Meanwhile, Lt Gen Bajwa is said to consider extremism a bigger threat for the country than India even after his extreme involvement in Kashmir and northern areas, the report reads. While on the other hand, Lt Gen Hayat has worked in the artillery and is currently serving in the chief of general staff. Further, Lt Gen Ramday is ex-president of the National Defence University in Islamabad and now leads the Bahawalpur corps, it says. "Gen Raheel Sharif would not like to become controversial and would not like the Prime Minister to use his recommendation as an excuse to distort the seniority list," a retired general was quoted as saying. (WION)

Pakistan's next army chief may be decided based on 'India factor', reports Dawn?
?

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