Making a complete U-turn, the Pakistan government on Saturday dismissed its claim of having taken&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/pakistan/pakistan-government-takes-control-of-jem-headquarters-199032">control of Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM)</a> headquarters in Bahawalpur.&nbsp;It instead said the complex has no link with the terror outfit, which had claimed responsibility for the Pulwama attack that killed 40 CRPF personnel in Jammu and Kashmir.&nbsp;

In a video message on social media, Pakistan's Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry said the Punjab government took administrative control of Madrassatul Sabir and Jamia-e-Masjid Subhanallah in Bahawalpur in line with the decisions taken during the National Security Council meeting held on Thursday and as part of the National Action Plan.&nbsp;

Rejecting his earlier announcement that the complex was JeM headquarters, Chaudhry said, "This is the madrassah (seminary) and India is doing propaganda that it is the JeM headquarters."&nbsp;

On Friday, the minister had told PTI that the Punjab government has "taken over the control of the JeM headquarters in Bahawalpur", about 400 km from Lahore.&nbsp;

"The government of Punjab has taken over the control of a campus comprising Madressatul Sabir and Jama-e-Masjid Subhanallah in Bahawalpur, allegedly the headquarters of Jaish-e-Mohammad, and appointed an administrator to manage its affairs," he said.&nbsp;

This was the first time in years that the campus, about 430 km from Lahore, had been acknowledged by Pakistan to be the headquarters of the terror outfit JeM led by Masood Azhar.&nbsp;

A statement issued by the Interior Ministry on Friday also said the crackdown on Jaish "has been taken in line with the decision of the National Security Committee meeting held on Thursday under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Imran Khan".

The Islamic seminaries in the campus has a faculty of 70 teachers and currently, 600 students were studying in it, the statement said, adding that Punjab police is providing security and protection to the campus.

Meanwhile, The Pakistani government on Saturday took a group of local journalists to the campus in Bahawalpur and claimed that it is a "routine seminary having no link with JeM".

Bahawalpur Deputy Commissioner Shahzaib Saeed accompanied a group of journalists to the campus showing "business as usual" there.&nbsp; 
The commissioner denied association of the seminary and the mosque with Masood Azhar.

"Some 600 students are studying here and none of them is associated with any banned organisation or involved in any terror activity," he said.&nbsp;

A local journalist, who visited the seminary and spoke to some students and teachers there, said, "When asked about the JeM and Masood Azhar, they showed complete ignorance about them. Perhaps they were briefed before our visit."

Making a complete U-turn, the Pakistan government on Saturday dismissed its claim of having taken control of Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) headquarters in Bahawalpur. It instead said the complex has no link with the terror outfit, which had claimed responsibility for the Pulwama attack that killed 40 CRPF personnel in Jammu and Kashmir.

Making a complete U-turn, the Pakistan government on Saturday dismissed its claim of having taken control of Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) headquarters in Bahawalpur. It instead said the complex has no link with the terror outfit, which had claimed responsibility for the Pulwama attack that killed 40 CRPF personnel in Jammu and Kashmir. In a video message on social media, Pakistan's Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry said the Punjab government took administrative control of Madrassatul Sabir and Jamia-e-Masjid Subhanallah in Bahawalpur in line with the decisions taken during the National Security Council meeting held on Thursday and as part of the National Action Plan. Rejecting his earlier announcement that the complex was JeM headquarters, Chaudhry said, "This is the madrassah (seminary) and India is doing propaganda that it is the JeM headquarters." On Friday, the minister had told PTI that the Punjab government has "taken over the control of the JeM headquarters in Bahawalpur", about 400 km from Lahore. "The government of Punjab has taken over the control of a campus comprising Madressatul Sabir and Jama-e-Masjid Subhanallah in Bahawalpur, allegedly the headquarters of Jaish-e-Mohammad, and appointed an administrator to manage its affairs," he said. This was the first time in years that the campus, about 430 km from Lahore, had been acknowledged by Pakistan to be the headquarters of the terror outfit JeM led by Masood Azhar. A statement issued by the Interior Ministry on Friday also said the crackdown on Jaish "has been taken in line with the decision of the National Security Committee meeting held on Thursday under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Imran Khan". The Islamic seminaries in the campus has a faculty of 70 teachers and currently, 600 students were studying in it, the statement said, adding that Punjab police is providing security and protection to the campus. Meanwhile, The Pakistani government on Saturday took a group of local journalists to the campus in Bahawalpur and claimed that it is a "routine seminary having no link with JeM". Bahawalpur Deputy Commissioner Shahzaib Saeed accompanied a group of journalists to the campus showing "business as usual" there. The commissioner denied association of the seminary and the mosque with Masood Azhar. "Some 600 students are studying here and none of them is associated with any banned organisation or involved in any terror activity," he said. A local journalist, who visited the seminary and spoke to some students and teachers there, said, "When asked about the JeM and Masood Azhar, they showed complete ignorance about them. Perhaps they were briefed before our visit."

After claiming it has taken control of JeM headquarters, Pakistan makes U-turn, says it is 'seminary'

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-takes-u-turn-says-bahawalpur-seminary-not-linked-to-jem-199229">Pakistan has</a> set up a "Crisis Management Cell" in the wake of heightened Indo-Pak tensions following one of the worst terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir by Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad terror group that killed 40 CRPF soldiers, according to a media report.

The cell will keep all stakeholders updated over the border situation and diplomatic contacts, Foreign Office spokesperson Muhammad Faisal was quoted as saying by The Express Tribune on Saturday.

The cell, set up in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, will remain operational throughout the week without any break, Faisal said.

Days after the Pulwama attack, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said security forces have been given free hand to avenge the dastardly act.&nbsp;

Pakistan has set up a "Crisis Management Cell" in the wake of heightened Indo-Pak tensions following one of the worst terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir by Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad terror group that killed 40 CRPF soldiers, according to a media report.

Pakistan has set up a "Crisis Management Cell" in the wake of heightened Indo-Pak tensions following one of the worst terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir by Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad terror group that killed 40 CRPF soldiers, according to a media report. The cell will keep all stakeholders updated over the border situation and diplomatic contacts, Foreign Office spokesperson Muhammad Faisal was quoted as saying by The Express Tribune on Saturday. The cell, set up in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, will remain operational throughout the week without any break, Faisal said. Days after the Pulwama attack, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said security forces have been given free hand to avenge the dastardly act.

Pakistan sets up Crisis Management Cell amid simmering Indo-Pak tension

Pakistan's Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has written a letter to the United Nations Security Council accusing India of threatening regional security, the Foreign Office (FO) said on Friday, a day after the powerful UN body named Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) in a statement condemning the "heinous" Pulwama attack perpetrated by the terror outfit in Jammu and Kashmir.

He also said India is accusing Pakistan of the Pulwama attack without any proof.&nbsp;

"It is with a sense of urgency that I draw your attention to the deteriorating security situation in our region resulting from Indian belligerence and threats of use of force against Pakistan. The situation poses a threat to international peace and security," Qureshi said in the letter addressed to UNSC president Anatolio Ndong Mba.

He alleged that India is blaming Pakistan for the Pulwama attack "to cover up its own operational and policy failures".&nbsp;

On Thursday, in a strong show of international support for India, the UNSC comprising 15 nations, including Pakistan's key ally China, named JeM while condemning in the "strongest terms" the "heinous and cowardly" terror attack in Pulwama and stressed on the need to hold organisers and financiers of such "reprehensible acts" accountable and bring them to justice.

"The members of the Security Council underlined the need to hold perpetrators, organisers, financiers and sponsors of these reprehensible acts of terrorism accountable and bring them to justice, and urged all States...To cooperate actively with the Government of India and all other relevant authorities in this regard," it said.

In his letter, Qureshi also accused the Indian government of using "water as a weapon".

"The long-standing legal arrangements agreed under the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) are thus being imperilled," he said.

India has decided to "stop" the flow of its share of water to Pakistan from rivers under the Indus Water Treaty.&nbsp;

The reiteration to stop the flow of Indus water to Pakistan comes amid mounting Indo-Pak tension over the Pulwama terror strike that has triggered demands for action against the neighbouring country. India has already decided to revoke the Most Favoured Nation status to Pakistan and mounted a diplomatic offensive to isolate it in the international community.

Qureshi said Pakistan has offered to cooperate with India if it shares any proof of involvement of Pakistani elements in the Pulwama attack.&nbsp;

"Pakistan has offered its cooperation if tangible evidence emerging from credible investigation is shared," he wrote.

India on Tuesday had said, "Disclaiming any link between the terrorist attack and Pakistan is an oft-repeated excuse by Pakistan."

"It is a well-known fact that Jaish-e-Mohammad and its leader Masood Azhar are based in Pakistan. These should be sufficient proof for Pakistan to take action," the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement.&nbsp;

Qureshi said India "must refrain from escalating the situation and enter into dialogue with Pakistan" to ensure continued peace and stability in South Asia.&nbsp;

Pakistan's Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has written a letter to the United Nations Security Council accusing India of threatening regional security, the Foreign Office (FO) said on Friday, a day after the powerful UN body named Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) in a statement condemning the "heinous" Pulwama attack perpetrated by the terror outfit in Jammu and Kashmir.

Pakistan's Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has written a letter to the United Nations Security Council accusing India of threatening regional security, the Foreign Office (FO) said on Friday, a day after the powerful UN body named Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) in a statement condemning the "heinous" Pulwama attack perpetrated by the terror outfit in Jammu and Kashmir. He also said India is accusing Pakistan of the Pulwama attack without any proof. "It is with a sense of urgency that I draw your attention to the deteriorating security situation in our region resulting from Indian belligerence and threats of use of force against Pakistan. The situation poses a threat to international peace and security," Qureshi said in the letter addressed to UNSC president Anatolio Ndong Mba. He alleged that India is blaming Pakistan for the Pulwama attack "to cover up its own operational and policy failures". On Thursday, in a strong show of international support for India, the UNSC comprising 15 nations, including Pakistan's key ally China, named JeM while condemning in the "strongest terms" the "heinous and cowardly" terror attack in Pulwama and stressed on the need to hold organisers and financiers of such "reprehensible acts" accountable and bring them to justice. "The members of the Security Council underlined the need to hold perpetrators, organisers, financiers and sponsors of these reprehensible acts of terrorism accountable and bring them to justice, and urged all States...To cooperate actively with the Government of India and all other relevant authorities in this regard," it said. In his letter, Qureshi also accused the Indian government of using "water as a weapon". "The long-standing legal arrangements agreed under the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) are thus being imperilled," he said. India has decided to "stop" the flow of its share of water to Pakistan from rivers under the Indus Water Treaty. The reiteration to stop the flow of Indus water to Pakistan comes amid mounting Indo-Pak tension over the Pulwama terror strike that has triggered demands for action against the neighbouring country. India has already decided to revoke the Most Favoured Nation status to Pakistan and mounted a diplomatic offensive to isolate it in the international community. Qureshi said Pakistan has offered to cooperate with India if it shares any proof of involvement of Pakistani elements in the Pulwama attack. "Pakistan has offered its cooperation if tangible evidence emerging from credible investigation is shared," he wrote. India on Tuesday had said, "Disclaiming any link between the terrorist attack and Pakistan is an oft-repeated excuse by Pakistan." "It is a well-known fact that Jaish-e-Mohammad and its leader Masood Azhar are based in Pakistan. These should be sufficient proof for Pakistan to take action," the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement. Qureshi said India "must refrain from escalating the situation and enter into dialogue with Pakistan" to ensure continued peace and stability in South Asia.

Pakistan writes to UNSC, accuses India of threatening regional security

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-speaks-on-pulwama-attack-says-very-dangerous-situation-between-india-pakistan-199055">Trump speaks on Pulwama attack, says 'very dangerous situation' between India and Pakistan</a>

US President Donald Trump voiced alarm Friday at the "very dangerous situation" between India and Pakistan, warning that New Delhi was considering "very strong" action after Pulwama terror attack in Kashmir.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/un-chief-warns-venezuela-against-lethal-force-on-protesters-199058">UN chief warns Maduro government against lethal force on protesters</a>

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Friday urged authorities in Venezuela not to use lethal force against protesters, after soldiers shot dead two indigenous people who were attempting to prevent the sealing of a border crossing to Brazil.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/michael-cohen-gave-prosecutors-information-on-trump-family-business-report-199063">Michael Cohen gave prosecutors information on Trump family business: Report</a>

US President Donald Trump's former personal lawyer Michael Cohen met last month with federal prosecutors in Manhattan and provided information about potential irregularities in the Trump family business, the New York Times reported on Friday.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/sudan-president-bashir-declares-year-long-state-of-emergency-across-the-country-199057">President Bashir declares </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/sudan-president-bashir-declares-year-long-state-of-emergency-across-the-country-199057">year-long</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/sudan-president-bashir-declares-year-long-state-of-emergency-across-the-country-199057"> state of emergency across Sudan</a>

Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir declared a nationwide state of emergency on Friday and dissolved the government in an effort to quell weeks of demonstrations that have rocked his iron-fisted rule.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/apps-send-intimate-user-data-to-facebook-report-199073">Smartphone apps send intimate user data to Facebook: Report</a>

A news report Friday said many smartphone apps were sending highly personal information such as menstrual cycles and body weight to Facebook, without notifying users.

Trump speaks on Pulwama attack, says 'very dangerous situation' between India and Pakistan US President Donald Trump voiced alarm Friday at the "very dangerous situation" between India and Pakistan, warning that New Delhi was considering "very strong" action after Pulwama terror attack in Kashmir.

Trump speaks on Pulwama attack, says 'very dangerous situation' between India and Pakistan US President Donald Trump voiced alarm Friday at the "very dangerous situation" between India and Pakistan, warning that New Delhi was considering "very strong" action after Pulwama terror attack in Kashmir. UN chief warns Maduro government against lethal force on protesters UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Friday urged authorities in Venezuela not to use lethal force against protesters, after soldiers shot dead two indigenous people who were attempting to prevent the sealing of a border crossing to Brazil. Michael Cohen gave prosecutors information on Trump family business: Report US President Donald Trump's former personal lawyer Michael Cohen met last month with federal prosecutors in Manhattan and provided information about potential irregularities in the Trump family business, the New York Times reported on Friday. President Bashir declares year-long state of emergency across Sudan Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir declared a nationwide state of emergency on Friday and dissolved the government in an effort to quell weeks of demonstrations that have rocked his iron-fisted rule. Smartphone apps send intimate user data to Facebook: Report A news report Friday said many smartphone apps were sending highly personal information such as menstrual cycles and body weight to Facebook, without notifying users.

News brief: Big stories of the day

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-speaks-on-pulwama-attack-says-very-dangerous-situation-between-india-pakistan-199055">US President Donald Trump</a> said on Friday that the United States has developed a "much better" relationship recently with Pakistan, which has long been at odds with the United States over the war in Afghanistan.

Trump, speaking at a White House event on trade negotiations with China, noted that relations had improved over the "last short period of time" and added that the United States may set up some meetings with Pakistan.

US envoys say Pakistan has an important role to play in Afghan peace talks, given its links to the Taliban.

Taliban representatives are due to meet US special peace envoy Zalmay Khalilzad in Qatar on February 25 in the next round of talks. The Taliban has refused to allow the participation of the Afghan government, which it regards as a US puppet.

Afghanistan's Foreign Ministry summoned the Pakistani ambassador on Wednesday over remarks that Afghan peace talks could be affected if India resorted to violence after last week's deadly attack on Indian paramilitary police in the disputed Kashmir region, for which Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad militant group claimed responsibility.

The Taliban had earlier announced that its team would meet US negotiators this week in Islamabad. The meetings did not take place for reasons that remain unclear.

US President Donald Trump said on Friday that the United States has developed a "much better" relationship recently with Pakistan, which has long been at odds with the United States over the war in Afghanistan.

US President Donald Trump said on Friday that the United States has developed a "much better" relationship recently with Pakistan, which has long been at odds with the United States over the war in Afghanistan. Trump, speaking at a White House event on trade negotiations with China, noted that relations had improved over the "last short period of time" and added that the United States may set up some meetings with Pakistan. US envoys say Pakistan has an important role to play in Afghan peace talks, given its links to the Taliban. Taliban representatives are due to meet US special peace envoy Zalmay Khalilzad in Qatar on February 25 in the next round of talks. The Taliban has refused to allow the participation of the Afghan government, which it regards as a US puppet. Afghanistan's Foreign Ministry summoned the Pakistani ambassador on Wednesday over remarks that Afghan peace talks could be affected if India resorted to violence after last week's deadly attack on Indian paramilitary police in the disputed Kashmir region, for which Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad militant group claimed responsibility. The Taliban had earlier announced that its team would meet US negotiators this week in Islamabad. The meetings did not take place for reasons that remain unclear.

US has developed 'much better' relations with Pakistan recently: Trump

For the second time in a week, Afghanistan has taken its neighbour Pakistan to United Nations Security Council (UNSC).&nbsp;

Kabul in a letter to UNSC raised the issue of "consistent violations of Afghanistan's territory" by Pakistani forces and has called on the powerful United Nations body to initiate necessary measures to address the matter at hand in an ''effective manner".&nbsp;

In a letter by Deputy Permanent Representative of Afghanistan to United Nation, Nazifullah Salarzai said," the nature of these violations mainly includes persistent shelling of Afghan territory, particularly in districts and villages of Kunar and Nangarhar provinces".&nbsp;

Violations also include Violation of Afghan airspace by Pakistani military aircraft and building of military posts.&nbsp;

Afghanistan said the violations date back to 2012 but have increased in frequency since 2017.&nbsp;

During 2012 to 2017 period, 28,849 artillery shells were fired into Afghanistan by Pakistan resulting in the death of at least 82 people and injuring 187 others.&nbsp;

Since January 1, 2018, &nbsp;the number of violations by Pakistan in Afghanistan stands at 161 which include firing 6025 artillery shells into Afghan territory.

The Afghan government also exposed the policy of the new Pakistan government led by Imran Khan to UNSC. Recalling the September 2018 visit of Pakistan's foreign minister Shah Mehmud Qureishi to Kabul during which Islamabad reiterated its commitment to implement the Afghanistan Pakistan action plan, Salarzai said, "What we have seen is nothing but actions that translate to the continued violation of the action plan".

Afghanistan Pakistan action plan or Afghanistan Pakistan Action plan for peace and solidarity (APAPPS) was agreed by former Pakistan government under Pakistani Prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and the Afghan government for peace between the 2 countries. It also included a commitment to avoid territorial and aerial violations.

Last week Afghanistan wrote a letter to UNSC on Islamabad's engagement with the Taliban and support to terror groups. Kabul had written the letter in the backdrop of Taliban meeting with Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan in Islamabad, saying the meet "undermines" the Afghan peace process and "violates Afghanistan's national sovereignty."&nbsp;

Taliban subsequently called off the meet saying they are unable to travel due to US/UN travel restrictions on them.

For the second time in a week, Afghanistan has taken its neighbour Pakistan to United Nations Security Council (UNSC). Kabul in a letter to UNSC raised the issue of "consistent violations of Afghanistan's territory" by Pakistani forces and has called on the powerful United Nations body to initiate necessary measures to address the matter at hand in an ''effective manner".

For the second time in a week, Afghanistan has taken its neighbour Pakistan to United Nations Security Council (UNSC). Kabul in a letter to UNSC raised the issue of "consistent violations of Afghanistan's territory" by Pakistani forces and has called on the powerful United Nations body to initiate necessary measures to address the matter at hand in an ''effective manner". In a letter by Deputy Permanent Representative of Afghanistan to United Nation, Nazifullah Salarzai said," the nature of these violations mainly includes persistent shelling of Afghan territory, particularly in districts and villages of Kunar and Nangarhar provinces". Violations also include Violation of Afghan airspace by Pakistani military aircraft and building of military posts. Afghanistan said the violations date back to 2012 but have increased in frequency since 2017. During 2012 to 2017 period, 28,849 artillery shells were fired into Afghanistan by Pakistan resulting in the death of at least 82 people and injuring 187 others. Since January 1, 2018, the number of violations by Pakistan in Afghanistan stands at 161 which include firing 6025 artillery shells into Afghan territory. The Afghan government also exposed the policy of the new Pakistan government led by Imran Khan to UNSC. Recalling the September 2018 visit of Pakistan's foreign minister Shah Mehmud Qureishi to Kabul during which Islamabad reiterated its commitment to implement the Afghanistan Pakistan action plan, Salarzai said, "What we have seen is nothing but actions that translate to the continued violation of the action plan". Afghanistan Pakistan action plan or Afghanistan Pakistan Action plan for peace and solidarity (APAPPS) was agreed by former Pakistan government under Pakistani Prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and the Afghan government for peace between the 2 countries. It also included a commitment to avoid territorial and aerial violations. Last week Afghanistan wrote a letter to UNSC on Islamabad's engagement with the Taliban and support to terror groups. Kabul had written the letter in the backdrop of Taliban meeting with Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan in Islamabad, saying the meet "undermines" the Afghan peace process and "violates Afghanistan's national sovereignty." Taliban subsequently called off the meet saying they are unable to travel due to US/UN travel restrictions on them.

Afghanistan writes to UNSC again on Islamabad, alleges violations by Pakistan forces

Union minister Giriraj Singh on Friday said India should boycott its June 16 cricket World Cup clash against Pakistan in the wake of the Pulwama terror attack.

The BJP hardliner also lauded Union minister Nitin Gadkari's remarks that India has decided to "stop" the flow of its share of river water to Pakistan under the Indus Water Treaty.

"What Nitin Gadkari has said should also be seen in the backdrop of the anger that is simmering in the country. It would be perfectly appropriate if flow of water from three rivers to Pakistan is stopped," Singh, the Minister of State (Independent charge) for MSME, said.

He said the decision was in sync with the prevailing sentiment of outrage.&nbsp;

"There should be no cricket matches with Pakistan till it continues with abetting terror. In fact, there should be no sporting, cultural or economic ties with the nation.&nbsp;

"Do families dine at each other's place while not on good terms?," Singh said at a function in his Lok Sabha constituency here.

There has been a call to boycott the June 16 World Cup face-off against Pakistan at the Old Trafford in the aftermath of the Pulwama terror attack, which killed more than 40 CRPF personnel.&nbsp;

In a similar expression of outrage, many Bollywood filmmakers have decided not to release their upcoming flicks in the neighbouring country and boycott Pakistani actors and musicians who have secured a foothold in the Hindi film industry.

The Committee of Administrators (CoA) running Indian cricket Friday decided against taking any stand on the World Cup clash against Pakistan but said it would individually urge ICC members to "sever ties with any nation that is a terrorist hub".&nbsp;

Union minister Giriraj Singh on Friday said India should boycott its June 16 cricket World Cup clash against Pakistan in the wake of the Pulwama terror attack. The BJP hardliner also lauded Union minister Nitin Gadkari's remarks that India has decided to "stop" the flow of its share of river water to Pakistan under the Indus Water Treaty.

Union minister Giriraj Singh on Friday said India should boycott its June 16 cricket World Cup clash against Pakistan in the wake of the Pulwama terror attack. The BJP hardliner also lauded Union minister Nitin Gadkari's remarks that India has decided to "stop" the flow of its share of river water to Pakistan under the Indus Water Treaty. "What Nitin Gadkari has said should also be seen in the backdrop of the anger that is simmering in the country. It would be perfectly appropriate if flow of water from three rivers to Pakistan is stopped," Singh, the Minister of State (Independent charge) for MSME, said. He said the decision was in sync with the prevailing sentiment of outrage. "There should be no cricket matches with Pakistan till it continues with abetting terror. In fact, there should be no sporting, cultural or economic ties with the nation. "Do families dine at each other's place while not on good terms?," Singh said at a function in his Lok Sabha constituency here. There has been a call to boycott the June 16 World Cup face-off against Pakistan at the Old Trafford in the aftermath of the Pulwama terror attack, which killed more than 40 CRPF personnel. In a similar expression of outrage, many Bollywood filmmakers have decided not to release their upcoming flicks in the neighbouring country and boycott Pakistani actors and musicians who have secured a foothold in the Hindi film industry. The Committee of Administrators (CoA) running Indian cricket Friday decided against taking any stand on the World Cup clash against Pakistan but said it would individually urge ICC members to "sever ties with any nation that is a terrorist hub".

India should boycott match with Pakistan: Giriraj Singh

It may be reading tea leaves but analysis of the walk-up to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman’s visit and his sojourn in Islamabad suggests that Pakistan may be about to fight battles on two fronts rather than just the Indian one in the wake of this month’s attacks in Kashmir.

Prince Mohammed’s expressions of unconditional support for Pakistan coupled with his promise of $20 billion in investments in addition to $6 billion in desperately needed financial aid raise the spectre of a shift in Pakistani efforts in recent years to walk a fine line in the rivalry between Saudi Arabia and Iran.

That fine line included a 2015 Pakistani refusal to send troops to the kingdom in support of the Saudi military intervention in Yemen.

Speaking to the Arab News this week, Major General Asif Ghafoor, head of the Pakistan army’s media wing, suggested that Pakistan’s commitment to Saudi Arabia was equally unconditional. “Pakistan is committed to standing by its Saudi brethren,” Major General Ghafoor said.

Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi seemed to fine tune the officer’s statement by not mentioning Yemen in his remarks to the Saudi paper and limiting Pakistan’s commitment to the kingdom itself. “If anyone would create chaos in or attack the Kingdom, Pakistan would stand by its brethren Saudi Arabia,” Qureshi said.

The stakes for Pakistan that borders on Iran and is home to the world’s largest minority Shiite Muslim community could not be higher.

Concerned that Pakistan’s position may be shifting, Iran dialled up the rhetoric by warning that Pakistan would "pay a high price" for last week’s attack in the Iranian province of Sistan and Baluchistan that killed 27 Revolutionary Guards.

Like with India, in the case of Kashmir, Iran asserted that the perpetrators, Jaish-al-Adl, were operating from Pakistani territory with at least the tacit knowledge of Pakistani authorities. In an unusual disclosure, Iran said three of the six perpetrators of last week’s attack, including the suicide bomber, were Pakistani nationals.

In the past, Iran had said that militants who had launched attacks were Iranian nationals rather than Pakistanis.

The tone of Revolutionary Guards chief Major General Mohammad Ali Jafari’s statement holding Pakistan, alongside the United States, Saudi Arabia and Israel, responsible for the recent attack reflected Iranian concern with what may flow from Prince Mohammed’s visit.

“Why do Pakistan’s army and security body ... give refuge to these anti-revolutionary groups? Pakistan will no doubt pay a high price. Just in the past year, six or seven suicide attacks were neutralised but they were able to carry out this one,” Major General Jafari said in remarks live on state television.

Initially, Iran had limited itself to blaming external powers rather than Pakistan for the attack.

Saudi Arabia and Pakistan expressed, in a little-noticed declaration, in their joint statement at the end of the Crown Prince’s visit “The need to avoid politicisation of the United Nations listing system.”

The statement was implicitly referring to Indian efforts to get the UN Security Council to designate Masood Azhar as a global terrorist. Azhar is the head of Jaish-e-Mohammed, the group that has claimed responsibility for the Kashmir attack.

China, which at Pakistan’s behest has blocked Azhar’s designation in recent years, this week rejected an Indian request that it lift its veto. China asserts that Indian evidence fails to meet UN standards.

The reference to UN listing in the Saudi-Pakistani statement seemingly failed to resonate in New Delhi where Prince Mohammed stopped after visiting Islamabad.

In another tantalising incident, Qureshi, the Pakistani foreign minister, did nothing to distance his country from a statement in his presence by Saudi State Minister for Foreign Affairs Adel Al-Jubeir accusing Iran of being the "world’s chief sponsor of terrorism"

Similarly, in preparation of Prince Mohammed’s talks, retired General Raheel Sharif, the Pakistani commander of the Saudi-based, 40-nation Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition (IMCTC), flew from Riyadh to Islamabad for talks with prime minister Imran Khan and Pakistani chief of staff, General Qamar Javed Bajwa. 
 
Pakistani military officials argued at the time that while the appointment would irritate Iran, refusal of the Saudi request would expose Pakistan to criticism from many more in the Islamic world.

Neither the Pakistani government nor the IMCTC gave details of General Sharif’s discussions. The IMCTC, however, said in a tweet that “salient contours of IMCTC's domains and initiatives in the fight against #terrorism were discussed.”

The tone and gestures during Prince Mohammed’s visit contrasted starkly with positions adopted by Khan during his election campaign and immediately after he took office last year.

In his first post-election televised speech Khan made a point of discussing his country’s relationship with Saudi Arabia and Iran.

“We want to improve ties with Iran. Saudi Arabia is a friend who has always stood by us in difficult times. Our aim will be that whatever we can do for conciliation in the Middle East, we want to play that role. Those tensions, that fight, between neighbours, we will try to bring them together," &nbsp;Khan said.

The geopolitical fallout, if any, of what for now amounts to symbolism will likely only be evident in the weeks and months to come.

Beyond Iran’s toughening stance towards Pakistan in the wake of the attack on its Revolutionary Guards, tell-tale signs would be a closer Pakistani alignment with the Saud-led anti-terrorism coalition and the degree to which Pakistan-based militant launch attacks inside Iran.

Middle East scholar Michael Stephens, who heads the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) operation in Qatar, suggested that reading the tea leaves may best be done with a grain of salt.

“Geography is what it is, and Pakistan will always have to maintain a relationship with Iran (economic and security) regardless of how much cash it gets from Riyadh… Pakistan will do what's best for Pakistan, and not Riyadh, the US or Tehran. Telling everyone what they want to hear is kinda how this all works,” Stephens said.

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

It may be reading tea leaves but analysis of the walk-up to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman’s visit and his sojourn in Islamabad suggests that Pakistan may be about to fight battles on two fronts rather than just the Indian one in the wake of this month’s attacks in Kashmir.

It may be reading tea leaves but analysis of the walk-up to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman’s visit and his sojourn in Islamabad suggests that Pakistan may be about to fight battles on two fronts rather than just the Indian one in the wake of this month’s attacks in Kashmir. Prince Mohammed’s expressions of unconditional support for Pakistan coupled with his promise of $20 billion in investments in addition to $6 billion in desperately needed financial aid raise the spectre of a shift in Pakistani efforts in recent years to walk a fine line in the rivalry between Saudi Arabia and Iran. That fine line included a 2015 Pakistani refusal to send troops to the kingdom in support of the Saudi military intervention in Yemen. Speaking to the Arab News this week, Major General Asif Ghafoor, head of the Pakistan army’s media wing, suggested that Pakistan’s commitment to Saudi Arabia was equally unconditional. “Pakistan is committed to standing by its Saudi brethren,” Major General Ghafoor said. Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi seemed to fine tune the officer’s statement by not mentioning Yemen in his remarks to the Saudi paper and limiting Pakistan’s commitment to the kingdom itself. “If anyone would create chaos in or attack the Kingdom, Pakistan would stand by its brethren Saudi Arabia,” Qureshi said. The stakes for Pakistan that borders on Iran and is home to the world’s largest minority Shiite Muslim community could not be higher. Concerned that Pakistan’s position may be shifting, Iran dialled up the rhetoric by warning that Pakistan would "pay a high price" for last week’s attack in the Iranian province of Sistan and Baluchistan that killed 27 Revolutionary Guards. Like with India, in the case of Kashmir, Iran asserted that the perpetrators, Jaish-al-Adl, were operating from Pakistani territory with at least the tacit knowledge of Pakistani authorities. In an unusual disclosure, Iran said three of the six perpetrators of last week’s attack, including the suicide bomber, were Pakistani nationals. In the past, Iran had said that militants who had launched attacks were Iranian nationals rather than Pakistanis. The tone of Revolutionary Guards chief Major General Mohammad Ali Jafari’s statement holding Pakistan, alongside the United States, Saudi Arabia and Israel, responsible for the recent attack reflected Iranian concern with what may flow from Prince Mohammed’s visit. “Why do Pakistan’s army and security body ... give refuge to these anti-revolutionary groups? Pakistan will no doubt pay a high price. Just in the past year, six or seven suicide attacks were neutralised but they were able to carry out this one,” Major General Jafari said in remarks live on state television. Initially, Iran had limited itself to blaming external powers rather than Pakistan for the attack. Saudi Arabia and Pakistan expressed, in a little-noticed declaration, in their joint statement at the end of the Crown Prince’s visit “The need to avoid politicisation of the United Nations listing system.” The statement was implicitly referring to Indian efforts to get the UN Security Council to designate Masood Azhar as a global terrorist. Azhar is the head of Jaish-e-Mohammed, the group that has claimed responsibility for the Kashmir attack. China, which at Pakistan’s behest has blocked Azhar’s designation in recent years, this week rejected an Indian request that it lift its veto. China asserts that Indian evidence fails to meet UN standards. The reference to UN listing in the Saudi-Pakistani statement seemingly failed to resonate in New Delhi where Prince Mohammed stopped after visiting Islamabad. In another tantalising incident, Qureshi, the Pakistani foreign minister, did nothing to distance his country from a statement in his presence by Saudi State Minister for Foreign Affairs Adel Al-Jubeir accusing Iran of being the "world’s chief sponsor of terrorism" Similarly, in preparation of Prince Mohammed’s talks, retired General Raheel Sharif, the Pakistani commander of the Saudi-based, 40-nation Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition (IMCTC), flew from Riyadh to Islamabad for talks with prime minister Imran Khan and Pakistani chief of staff, General Qamar Javed Bajwa. Pakistani military officials argued at the time that while the appointment would irritate Iran, refusal of the Saudi request would expose Pakistan to criticism from many more in the Islamic world. Neither the Pakistani government nor the IMCTC gave details of General Sharif’s discussions. The IMCTC, however, said in a tweet that “salient contours of IMCTC's domains and initiatives in the fight against #terrorism were discussed.” The tone and gestures during Prince Mohammed’s visit contrasted starkly with positions adopted by Khan during his election campaign and immediately after he took office last year. In his first post-election televised speech Khan made a point of discussing his country’s relationship with Saudi Arabia and Iran. “We want to improve ties with Iran. Saudi Arabia is a friend who has always stood by us in difficult times. Our aim will be that whatever we can do for conciliation in the Middle East, we want to play that role. Those tensions, that fight, between neighbours, we will try to bring them together," Khan said. The geopolitical fallout, if any, of what for now amounts to symbolism will likely only be evident in the weeks and months to come. Beyond Iran’s toughening stance towards Pakistan in the wake of the attack on its Revolutionary Guards, tell-tale signs would be a closer Pakistani alignment with the Saud-led anti-terrorism coalition and the degree to which Pakistan-based militant launch attacks inside Iran. Middle East scholar Michael Stephens, who heads the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) operation in Qatar, suggested that reading the tea leaves may best be done with a grain of salt. “Geography is what it is, and Pakistan will always have to maintain a relationship with Iran (economic and security) regardless of how much cash it gets from Riyadh… Pakistan will do what's best for Pakistan, and not Riyadh, the US or Tehran. Telling everyone what they want to hear is kinda how this all works,” Stephens said. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

Decoding Saudi Arabia Crown Prince's visit to Pakistan

'India can't end treaty on its own': Pakistan

Pakistan reinstates ban on Hafiz Saeed-led JuD and its charity wing FIF

Spokesperson of the Pakistani military Major General Asif Ghafoor while addressing a press conference on Friday warned India that it should refrain from war-mongering otherwise the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/fatf-comes-hard-on-pakistan-says-islamabad-has-not-demonstrated-proper-understanding-of-terror-financing-198944">Pakistani military has full capability </a>to "respond&nbsp;to&nbsp;its fullest, if provoked".&nbsp;

The press conference comes as tensions between India and Pakistan have risen after the<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/unsc-statement-mentioned-jem-in-general-terms-it-does-not-represent-judgment-on-pulwama-attack-china-198964"> recent attack on the CRPF</a> personnel in Pulwama that killed over 40 soldiers.&nbsp;

The military’s spokesperson said: "We wanted to be sure that there was no mischief involved from our side and once we found out, our Prime Minister gave a policy statement, "We want peace with India but please be rest assured, should you initiate any aggression."&nbsp;

"First, you shall never be able to surprise us. We are ready, in response, we shall for sure surprise you. We shall dominate the escalation ladder", said Major General Asif Ghafoor who was also quick to mention the Kulbhushan Jadhav case, while taking a jibe at India saying that India needs to stop sending Kulbhushan Jadhav's to&nbsp;Pakistan and stop terrorism in order to build good relations.

In an&nbsp;hour-long press conference which focused on developments post-Pulwama attack, the spokesperson of Pakistan’s military rebuffed claims of Pakistan’s diplomatic isolation and gave a hand count of Pakistan’s recent diplomatic success.

He said that Pakistan and Iran have been in contact and deliberations are ongoing to fence the 909 km Pak–Iran border while referring to Iran as a "brotherly country". The development comes after the Iranian Border Guards were attacked which the Iranian side accused Pakistan-based terror outfits orchestrating from across the border.

In response to WION's question on the proscription of globally listed terrorist Hafiz Saeed’s organization, he said: “We proscribed them but a process was followed, they were told to do something’s when they were put on the watch-list which they failed, so they have been banned. This is in our interest, there is a time for everything to be done and this has not been done in under any pressure. The process to ensure the ban is being expedited on the ground.”

Spokesperson of the Pakistani military Major General Asif Ghafoor while addressing a press conference on Friday warned India that it should refrain from war-mongering otherwise the Pakistani military has full capability to "respond to its fullest, if provoked".

Spokesperson of the Pakistani military Major General Asif Ghafoor while addressing a press conference on Friday warned India that it should refrain from war-mongering otherwise the Pakistani military has full capability to "respond to its fullest, if provoked". The press conference comes as tensions between India and Pakistan have risen after the recent attack on the CRPF personnel in Pulwama that killed over 40 soldiers. The military’s spokesperson said: "We wanted to be sure that there was no mischief involved from our side and once we found out, our Prime Minister gave a policy statement, "We want peace with India but please be rest assured, should you initiate any aggression." "First, you shall never be able to surprise us. We are ready, in response, we shall for sure surprise you. We shall dominate the escalation ladder", said Major General Asif Ghafoor who was also quick to mention the Kulbhushan Jadhav case, while taking a jibe at India saying that India needs to stop sending Kulbhushan Jadhav's to Pakistan and stop terrorism in order to build good relations. In an hour-long press conference which focused on developments post-Pulwama attack, the spokesperson of Pakistan’s military rebuffed claims of Pakistan’s diplomatic isolation and gave a hand count of Pakistan’s recent diplomatic success. He said that Pakistan and Iran have been in contact and deliberations are ongoing to fence the 909 km Pak–Iran border while referring to Iran as a "brotherly country". The development comes after the Iranian Border Guards were attacked which the Iranian side accused Pakistan-based terror outfits orchestrating from across the border. In response to WION's question on the proscription of globally listed terrorist Hafiz Saeed’s organization, he said: “We proscribed them but a process was followed, they were told to do something’s when they were put on the watch-list which they failed, so they have been banned. This is in our interest, there is a time for everything to be done and this has not been done in under any pressure. The process to ensure the ban is being expedited on the ground.”

Did not ban JuD under pressure, proper process was followed: Pak DG ISPR General Asif Ghafoor

The <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/opinion-pakistan-will-face-major-economic-loss-after-fatf-puts-it-on-grey-list-of-terror-financing-34131">Financial Action Task Force (FATF) has come hard on Pakistan </a>saying it has not demonstrated a proper understanding of the terror financing risks posed by "Da’esh, AQ, JuD, FiF, LeT, JeM, HQN, and persons affiliated with the Taliban. "

The FATF asked Pakistan should continue to work on implementing its action plan to address its strategic deficiencies and said, "Given the limited progress on action plan items due in January 2019, the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/how-will-fatf-grey-listing-impact-pakistan-148048">FATF</a> urges Pakistan to swiftly complete its action plan, particularly those with timelines of May 2019."

Pakistan was put on the greylist last year which meant the country came under financial jurisdiction with “structural deficiencies” in anti-money laundering (AML) and combating the financing of terrorism (CFT) or simply - supports financing of terror.

Even as Financial Action Task Force (FATF) came hard on Pakistan on for not doing enough on terror financing, the president of the anti-terror financing group Marshall Billingslea has said that the multilateral group will hold Islamabad accountable if the country does not fulfil its commitments.&nbsp;

Replying to WION's question that is Pakistan serious on acting on terror, in briefing post the week-long FATF plenary, Billingslea said, "I have engaged in my capacity as the president of FATF...I believe when they issue high-level commitment that they well understood what they were committing too and again as I have said we will hold them to it and we expect time table to be met and action plan to be fully implemented in line with FATF standards"

A high-level delegation from the government&nbsp;of Pakistan attended the FATF plenary.

In June 2018, Pakistan had made a high-level political commitment to work with the FATF and Asia Pacific group to strengthen its AML/CFT regime and to address its strategic counter- terrorist financing-related deficiencies.

FATF said, "Pakistan has taken steps towards improving its AML/CFT regime, including by operationalising the integrated database for its currency declaration regime."

FATF has listed ten points including "demonstrating effective implementation of targeted financial sanctions against all 1267 and 1373 designated terrorists" for Pakistan to act on.&nbsp;

The development comes shot in the arm for New Delhi which has been focusing in global isolation of Pakistan in the aftermath of the Pulwama attack which was claimed by Pakistan based Jaish-e-Mohammad(JeM).

&nbsp;

The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) has come hard on Pakistan saying it has not demonstrated a proper understanding of the terror financing risks posed by "Da’esh, AQ, JuD, FiF, LeT, JeM, HQN, and persons affiliated with the Taliban.

The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) has come hard on Pakistan saying it has not demonstrated a proper understanding of the terror financing risks posed by "Da’esh, AQ, JuD, FiF, LeT, JeM, HQN, and persons affiliated with the Taliban. " The FATF asked Pakistan should continue to work on implementing its action plan to address its strategic deficiencies and said, "Given the limited progress on action plan items due in January 2019, the FATF urges Pakistan to swiftly complete its action plan, particularly those with timelines of May 2019." Pakistan was put on the greylist last year which meant the country came under financial jurisdiction with “structural deficiencies” in anti-money laundering (AML) and combating the financing of terrorism (CFT) or simply - supports financing of terror. Even as Financial Action Task Force (FATF) came hard on Pakistan on for not doing enough on terror financing, the president of the anti-terror financing group Marshall Billingslea has said that the multilateral group will hold Islamabad accountable if the country does not fulfil its commitments. Replying to WION's question that is Pakistan serious on acting on terror, in briefing post the week-long FATF plenary, Billingslea said, "I have engaged in my capacity as the president of FATF...I believe when they issue high-level commitment that they well understood what they were committing too and again as I have said we will hold them to it and we expect time table to be met and action plan to be fully implemented in line with FATF standards" A high-level delegation from the government of Pakistan attended the FATF plenary. In June 2018, Pakistan had made a high-level political commitment to work with the FATF and Asia Pacific group to strengthen its AML/CFT regime and to address its strategic counter- terrorist financing-related deficiencies. FATF said, "Pakistan has taken steps towards improving its AML/CFT regime, including by operationalising the integrated database for its currency declaration regime." FATF has listed ten points including "demonstrating effective implementation of targeted financial sanctions against all 1267 and 1373 designated terrorists" for Pakistan to act on. The development comes shot in the arm for New Delhi which has been focusing in global isolation of Pakistan in the aftermath of the Pulwama attack which was claimed by Pakistan based Jaish-e-Mohammad(JeM).

Pakistan hasn't demonstrated proper understanding of terror financing: FATF

Kulbhushan Jadhav case: India counters Pakistan's arguments in second round

Sources in the BCCI have said India will not play Pakistan at the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/photos/cricket-world-cup-2019-records-show-virat-rohit-root-will-dominate-175407#virat-kohli-175396">cricket World Cup</a> if the government does not want them to.&nbsp;

The World Cup begins May 30 and will carry on till July 14. India are scheduled to play Pakistan on June 16.&nbsp;

The sources said the "situation will get clearer after some time, a little closer to the World Cup. If the government at that point in time feels we shouldn't play, it's obvious that we won't play."

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BCCI Sources on if India will play against Pakistan in World Cup: Situation will get clearer after some time, a little closer to the World Cup. ICC has nothing to do with it. If the government at that point in time feels we shouldn't play, it's obvious that we won't play. <a href="https://t.co/pzKFG1WuID">pic.twitter.com/pzKFG1WuID</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1098077731487543296?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 20, 2019</a></blockquote>
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The sources, however, added that India refusing to play Pakistan would mean Pakistan walking away with the points of an India-Pakistan match.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/icc-expects-india-pakistan-game-to-go-through-despite-tensions-198455">ICC expects India-Pakistan game to go through despite tensions</a>

And if that match were to be the final, then Pakistan would win without even playing.&nbsp;

"We haven't yet approached ICC in this regard," the sources said.&nbsp;

The World Cup will be played in England.&nbsp;

Sources in the BCCI have said India will not play Pakistan at the cricket World Cup if the government does not want them to. The World Cup begins May 30 and will carry on till July 14.

Sources in the BCCI have said India will not play Pakistan at the cricket World Cup if the government does not want them to. The World Cup begins May 30 and will carry on till July 14. India are scheduled to play Pakistan on June 16. The sources said the "situation will get clearer after some time, a little closer to the World Cup. If the government at that point in time feels we shouldn't play, it's obvious that we won't play." BCCI Sources on if India will play against Pakistan in World Cup: Situation will get clearer after some time, a little closer to the World Cup. ICC has nothing to do with it. If the government at that point in time feels we shouldn't play, it's obvious that we won't play. pic.twitter.com/pzKFG1WuID — ANI (@ANI) February 20, 2019 × The sources, however, added that India refusing to play Pakistan would mean Pakistan walking away with the points of an India-Pakistan match. Also read: ICC expects India-Pakistan game to go through despite tensions And if that match were to be the final, then Pakistan would win without even playing. "We haven't yet approached ICC in this regard," the sources said. The World Cup will be played in England.

BCCI sources on India playing Pak at Cricket World Cup: Will not play if government does not want us to

The Committee of Administrators will meet Friday to decide on whether India will play Pakistan at the World Cup.&nbsp;

The World Cup begins in England on May 30 and will continue till July 14.&nbsp;

India are scheduled to play Pakistan on June 16 but, after the Pulwama attack in which at least 40 CRPF personnel lost their lives, most ties between the two countries are off.&nbsp;

The news agency ANI reported on Thursday that the CoA will meet tomorrow to discuss a "future course of action".&nbsp;

ANI quoted sources as saying advice on the matter was being sought from the Sports Ministry, the Ministry of External Affairs, and the Home Ministry.&nbsp;

They added that the "BCCI/CoA" will then take a "collective and responsible decision".&nbsp;

The sources said no letter — informing them whether India would play Pakistan or not, or refuse to play them — had been written to the ICC as of yet.&nbsp;

WION had reported BCCI sources saying yesterday that India would not play Pakistan at the World Cup <a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/bcci-sources-on-india-playing-pak-at-cricket-world-cup-will-not-play-if-government-does-not-want-us-to-198443">if the government did not want them to</a>.&nbsp;

They, however, added that that would mean Pakistan walking away with the points from that match and that if India and Pakistan were to both make the final, that would mean Pakistan would win the World Cup without so much as playing a ball in the final.&nbsp;

The Committee of Administrators will meet Friday to decide on whether India will play Pakistan at the World Cup. The World Cup begins in England on May 30 and will continue till July 14.

The Committee of Administrators will meet Friday to decide on whether India will play Pakistan at the World Cup. The World Cup begins in England on May 30 and will continue till July 14. India are scheduled to play Pakistan on June 16 but, after the Pulwama attack in which at least 40 CRPF personnel lost their lives, most ties between the two countries are off. The news agency ANI reported on Thursday that the CoA will meet tomorrow to discuss a "future course of action". ANI quoted sources as saying advice on the matter was being sought from the Sports Ministry, the Ministry of External Affairs, and the Home Ministry. They added that the "BCCI/CoA" will then take a "collective and responsible decision". The sources said no letter — informing them whether India would play Pakistan or not, or refuse to play them — had been written to the ICC as of yet. WION had reported BCCI sources saying yesterday that India would not play Pakistan at the World Cup if the government did not want them to. They, however, added that that would mean Pakistan walking away with the points from that match and that if India and Pakistan were to both make the final, that would mean Pakistan would win the World Cup without so much as playing a ball in the final.

Will India play Pakistan at World Cup? CoA to meet tomorrow, say sources

Watch: WION Gravitas, 21st February, 2019

Fineprint: Pakistan bans Hafiz Saeed's Jamat-ud-Dawa

Terrorist activities of Jehadi Islamic organisations in a part of Jammu and Kashmir has reached a new and crucial stage that calls for decisive and conclusive response from the Indian state. &nbsp;

The recent terrorist act in Pulwama, causing the death of 40 CRPF jawans travelling in a bus and not engaged in battle, makes it the turning point. It is “now or never” for ending terrorism in these parts of J&amp;K.&nbsp;

Violence to overawe a civilian population to attain political goals is terrorism. This type of violence is also a tool for dismembering a nation. The concern today is how, we as Indians, deter this terror and safeguard national integrity?&nbsp;

In Tamil Nadu, I was in charge in the Chandrashekar government [1990-91] and the process began by dismissing the Karunanidhi government. Tamils fully cooperated and we were able to decimate the LTTE without any civilian death. In the ensuing Assembly elections, the DMK won only two seats in the 224-seat House. &nbsp;&nbsp;

The dismemberment of Kashmir and the religious cleansing of Hindus from the state are the goals of J&amp;K Islamic terrorism.

In a cassette distributed in a mosque in Srinagar on June 8, 2007, Al Qaeda [now morphed into ISIS] confirmed that for Islam, India as presently constituted, is the target for terrorist acts and religious cleansing. The forced exodus of five lakh Hindu Kashmiris, principally the Pandit community, was beginning of religious cleansing in the Kashmir Valley.&nbsp;

In J&amp;K, terrorism today is a premeditated, politically motivated and Jehadi Islamic religion-inspired violence perpetrated against the non-combatant target population, primarily those of Hindu faith, by clandestine agents to secure compliance by intimidation, to overawe the Hindu civilian population. &nbsp;

Terrorism in the state,&nbsp;thus, is a strategy of violence to generate fear and disruption, with the ultimate aim to secure the balkanisation of the Indian nation, the rubbishing of its ancient Hindu civilisation, secured through capitulation of law-abiding civilian citizens.&nbsp;

J&amp;K is thus today a terrorist-challenged state, which has profound national security implications.&nbsp;

Combating such terrorism has, however, become extremely complicated and multi-dimensional. Hence, we need to understand it’s nature and scope clearly before an effective strategy to deter terrorism can be formulated. There has been a paradigm change in terrorism’s character since 1968, caused by three specific innovations of the 20th century.&nbsp;

First, the invention of television with instant satellite relay, which has suddenly given small unknown groups the possibility of worldwide publicity. &nbsp;

Internet has raised that publicity potential manifold. The fact that most terrorist incidents take place in democratic states, may in part, be due to its availability.&nbsp;

Under an authoritarian regime like China, terrorists can be cut off from their media audience in the target country, thereby reducing to a minimum all the expected impact of their actions.

With freely available media, small groups of terrorists can attain heavy leverage against powerful opponents by getting wide publicity on small political events. The impact is mostly psychological and meant for media coverage. But it has the desired effect of promoting fear, shock and awe in the civilian population.

Hence, democratic India now need&nbsp;to formulate their counter-terrorist strategy keeping this in view, by imposing reasonable restrictions permitted in the Constitution on democratic freedom without destroying the basic structure of democratic practice itself.

Second is the incredible sophistication of hand-held weapons, especially it’s miniaturisation and proliferation that have enabled a small number of criminally-minded persons to do great harm.&nbsp;

Third, easy communication through internet and cell/satellite phones-enabled networking between various disparate terrorist groups. The ISI of Pakistan is engaged in assisting this enterprise to unravel India, and push it toward balkanisation. Hence, a terror cartel and networking has emerged in India.&nbsp;

A counter-terror strategy for India thus requires a paradigm shift from the traditional law &amp; order approach of providing more personnel and sophisticated weapons.&nbsp;

What then are the elements of this counter-terror strategy? &nbsp;In my view, there are three steps for an effective strategy to eliminate terror in J&amp;K.

First, all remaining traces of so-called “disputed status” of Jammu and Kashmir must be erased. For that, India must write to the United Nations withdrawing the illegal application filed by then Prime Minister Nehru.&nbsp;

It is illegal because it violated the 1935 British Indian Constitution on the Instrument of Accession Clause, which the J&amp;K Maharaja had signed merging the state into India. &nbsp;Also Nehru never took Cabinet approval for the application. Hence, it is illegal and not binding on successive Indian governments since the Cabinet had not cleared it.

Second, Article 370 of the Constitution labelled as “temporary” by the Constituent Assembly, should be deleted as per procedure laid out in the Constitution itself, which is that a notification prepared by the Cabinet for its abolition is issued by the President of India. With that, Article 35 A will also fade away.&nbsp;

Third, 10 lakh former servicemen should be liberally provided with funds and weapons and requested to go to the Valley and settle down there with their families. After five years, they can return and the houses they acquire can be occupied by the expelled Hindu Kashmiris.&nbsp;

Fourth, liberally help the Kashmiri Muslim youth with clean credentials, and even surrendered extremists, to get education and jobs anywhere in India.&nbsp;

I know many who are today more patriotic and able than the average citizen.

Finally, for five years, impose AFSPA all over the state, introduce POTA and have no election for the first two years. The success of these proposals will be obtained only in the next two years. Pakistan, which is ripe for dismemberment, needs to be broken into four — Baluchistan, Pakhtoonistan, Sindh, and residual West Punjab.&nbsp;

For this, India has to obtain the tacit support of China and US by their non-interference. For doubting Thomases remember, China did not interfere in 1965, 1971 and 1999 Indo-Pak wars.

(This article was originally published on the DNA. Read the <a href="https://www.dnaindia.com/analysis/column-india-s-moment-to-act-is-here-2722269">original article</a>)

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

Terrorist activities of Jehadi Islamic organisations in a part of Jammu and Kashmir has reached a new and crucial stage that calls for decisive and conclusive response from the Indian state.

Terrorist activities of Jehadi Islamic organisations in a part of Jammu and Kashmir has reached a new and crucial stage that calls for decisive and conclusive response from the Indian state. The recent terrorist act in Pulwama, causing the death of 40 CRPF jawans travelling in a bus and not engaged in battle, makes it the turning point. It is “now or never” for ending terrorism in these parts of J&K. Violence to overawe a civilian population to attain political goals is terrorism. This type of violence is also a tool for dismembering a nation. The concern today is how, we as Indians, deter this terror and safeguard national integrity? In Tamil Nadu, I was in charge in the Chandrashekar government [1990-91] and the process began by dismissing the Karunanidhi government. Tamils fully cooperated and we were able to decimate the LTTE without any civilian death. In the ensuing Assembly elections, the DMK won only two seats in the 224-seat House. The dismemberment of Kashmir and the religious cleansing of Hindus from the state are the goals of J&K Islamic terrorism. In a cassette distributed in a mosque in Srinagar on June 8, 2007, Al Qaeda [now morphed into ISIS] confirmed that for Islam, India as presently constituted, is the target for terrorist acts and religious cleansing. The forced exodus of five lakh Hindu Kashmiris, principally the Pandit community, was beginning of religious cleansing in the Kashmir Valley. In J&K, terrorism today is a premeditated, politically motivated and Jehadi Islamic religion-inspired violence perpetrated against the non-combatant target population, primarily those of Hindu faith, by clandestine agents to secure compliance by intimidation, to overawe the Hindu civilian population. Terrorism in the state, thus, is a strategy of violence to generate fear and disruption, with the ultimate aim to secure the balkanisation of the Indian nation, the rubbishing of its ancient Hindu civilisation, secured through capitulation of law-abiding civilian citizens. J&K is thus today a terrorist-challenged state, which has profound national security implications. Combating such terrorism has, however, become extremely complicated and multi-dimensional. Hence, we need to understand it’s nature and scope clearly before an effective strategy to deter terrorism can be formulated. There has been a paradigm change in terrorism’s character since 1968, caused by three specific innovations of the 20th century. First, the invention of television with instant satellite relay, which has suddenly given small unknown groups the possibility of worldwide publicity. Internet has raised that publicity potential manifold. The fact that most terrorist incidents take place in democratic states, may in part, be due to its availability. Under an authoritarian regime like China, terrorists can be cut off from their media audience in the target country, thereby reducing to a minimum all the expected impact of their actions. With freely available media, small groups of terrorists can attain heavy leverage against powerful opponents by getting wide publicity on small political events. The impact is mostly psychological and meant for media coverage. But it has the desired effect of promoting fear, shock and awe in the civilian population. Hence, democratic India now need to formulate their counter-terrorist strategy keeping this in view, by imposing reasonable restrictions permitted in the Constitution on democratic freedom without destroying the basic structure of democratic practice itself. Second is the incredible sophistication of hand-held weapons, especially it’s miniaturisation and proliferation that have enabled a small number of criminally-minded persons to do great harm. Third, easy communication through internet and cell/satellite phones-enabled networking between various disparate terrorist groups. The ISI of Pakistan is engaged in assisting this enterprise to unravel India, and push it toward balkanisation. Hence, a terror cartel and networking has emerged in India. A counter-terror strategy for India thus requires a paradigm shift from the traditional law & order approach of providing more personnel and sophisticated weapons. What then are the elements of this counter-terror strategy? In my view, there are three steps for an effective strategy to eliminate terror in J&K. First, all remaining traces of so-called “disputed status” of Jammu and Kashmir must be erased. For that, India must write to the United Nations withdrawing the illegal application filed by then Prime Minister Nehru. It is illegal because it violated the 1935 British Indian Constitution on the Instrument of Accession Clause, which the J&K Maharaja had signed merging the state into India. Also Nehru never took Cabinet approval for the application. Hence, it is illegal and not binding on successive Indian governments since the Cabinet had not cleared it. Second, Article 370 of the Constitution labelled as “temporary” by the Constituent Assembly, should be deleted as per procedure laid out in the Constitution itself, which is that a notification prepared by the Cabinet for its abolition is issued by the President of India. With that, Article 35 A will also fade away. Third, 10 lakh former servicemen should be liberally provided with funds and weapons and requested to go to the Valley and settle down there with their families. After five years, they can return and the houses they acquire can be occupied by the expelled Hindu Kashmiris. Fourth, liberally help the Kashmiri Muslim youth with clean credentials, and even surrendered extremists, to get education and jobs anywhere in India. I know many who are today more patriotic and able than the average citizen. Finally, for five years, impose AFSPA all over the state, introduce POTA and have no election for the first two years. The success of these proposals will be obtained only in the next two years. Pakistan, which is ripe for dismemberment, needs to be broken into four — Baluchistan, Pakhtoonistan, Sindh, and residual West Punjab. For this, India has to obtain the tacit support of China and US by their non-interference. For doubting Thomases remember, China did not interfere in 1965, 1971 and 1999 Indo-Pak wars. (This article was originally published on the DNA. Read the original article) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

Pulwama attack: India's moment to act is here

Watch: WION Your Story, 21st February, 2019

Breaking News: Indian govt mulls diverting water of three rivers common with Pakistan

At the trailer launch of his new film 'Milan Talkies' filmmaker Tigmanshu Dhulia said the film will not release in Pakistan.

After the Pulwama terror attack earlier this month, some Indian filmmakers decided against the release of their films like ' Luka Chuppi' &nbsp;and ' Arjun Patiala' in the neighbouring country.

Asked whether he will release ' Milan Talkies' in Pakistan, Dhulia told the media here on Tuesday: "No. It will not be released in Pakistan. There are two reasons for that. First one is that we stand in solidarity with the martyrs` families.&nbsp;

"The second reason is that piracy of Hindi films takes place from Pakistan so, I feel that we should never release our films in Pakistan for that specific reason."

The event also saw the film`s cast Ali Fazal, Shraddha Srinath, Ashutosh Rana and Sikandar Kher in attendance.&nbsp;The film is a love story set in Uttar Pradesh around 2010-2013 when single screen theatres were still prominent in smaller Indian towns and film print was still in circulation.

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/pmC5wQ99o6Q" width="560"></iframe>

'Milan Talkies' has been Dhulia's dream project for a long time and has undergone several changes in terms of its lead pair untill Ali Fazal and Shraddha Srinath were signed for the film.&nbsp;

'Milan Talkies' &nbsp;is releasing in India on March 15.

At the trailer launch of his new film 'Milan Talkies' filmmaker Tigmanshu Dhulia said the film will not release in Pakistan. After the Pulwama terror attack earlier this month, some Indian filmmakers decided against the release of their films like ' Luka Chuppi' and ' Arjun Patiala' in the neighbouring country.

At the trailer launch of his new film 'Milan Talkies' filmmaker Tigmanshu Dhulia said the film will not release in Pakistan. After the Pulwama terror attack earlier this month, some Indian filmmakers decided against the release of their films like ' Luka Chuppi' and ' Arjun Patiala' in the neighbouring country. Asked whether he will release ' Milan Talkies' in Pakistan, Dhulia told the media here on Tuesday: "No. It will not be released in Pakistan. There are two reasons for that. First one is that we stand in solidarity with the martyrs` families. "The second reason is that piracy of Hindi films takes place from Pakistan so, I feel that we should never release our films in Pakistan for that specific reason." The event also saw the film`s cast Ali Fazal, Shraddha Srinath, Ashutosh Rana and Sikandar Kher in attendance. The film is a love story set in Uttar Pradesh around 2010-2013 when single screen theatres were still prominent in smaller Indian towns and film print was still in circulation. 'Milan Talkies' has been Dhulia's dream project for a long time and has undergone several changes in terms of its lead pair untill Ali Fazal and Shraddha Srinath were signed for the film. 'Milan Talkies' is releasing in India on March 15.

Trailer of Ali Fazal starrer 'Milan Talkies' out, director Tigmanshu Dhulia says film will not release in Pakistan

A Hindu-American advocacy group and an organisation of Kashmiri Pandits have urged the US to take action against the Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) terror outfit and its leader Masood Azhar and to condemn the alleged role of Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and China in providing physical and diplomatic cover to such terror organisations.&nbsp;

The move came days after a deadly terror attack on the convoy of CRPF personnel in Pulwama district of Jammu and Kashmir. A suicide bomber from the Pakistan-based JeM drove his explosives-laden vehicle into a CRPF bus on February 14, killing 40 security personnel.

The two groups handed over a letter, jointly signed by them, to the US Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom Sam Brownback urging the Trump Administration to take action, both at the international as well as at the domestic levels, to censure the terrorist organisation.&nbsp;

"We call upon the US government to condemn in all international fora the role played by Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and China in providing physical and diplomatic cover to terrorists like Masood Azhar that have wreaked havoc in Kashmir," said the letter, signed jointly by the Indo-American Kashmir Forum (IAKF) and the Hindu American Foundation (HAF).

The IAKF represents the Kashmiri Pandit community residing in the US, while the HAF is a non-profit advocacy organization for the Hindu-American community.&nbsp;

The letter was read in full before Brownback and the participants of the International Religious Freedom held at the US Capitol on Tuesday, by Vijay Sazawal, the international convener of the IAKF.

Sazawal said "there is a cultural genocide happening in Kashmir".

"The environment of intolerance at the grassroots level only feeds into the ecosystem which breeds terrorists like Masood Azhar who then carry out such transnational attacks in Afghanistan and India," said Jay Kansara of the HAF.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, another organization of Kashmiri Pandits said it would host a virtual conference to highlight the paradigm shift which has occurred within the community globally.

&nbsp;"The conclave will be an opportunity for the global audience to hear the prespectives of speakers' (from Jammu and Kashmir) and policy positions on the theme of the conference in the light of the present-day developments," the Global Kashmiri Pandit Diaspora (GKPD) said in a statement.

Former J-K finance minister Abdul Rahim Rather, Peoples' Democratic Party leader Muzaffar Hussain Baig, chairman of J-K People's Conference Sajjad Gani Lone, president of J-K Bharatiya Janata Party Ravinder Raina, and former union minister and Congress leader Manish Tewari are likely to address the global multi-media event, to be attended by community members from various parts of the world, the media release said.

In a separate statement, the Kashmir Hindu Foundation condemned the February 14 terror attack, saying these attacks in Kashmir prove that the radical jihadi mind-set has penetrated deep into the psyche and polluted the minds of a major population of Kashmiri Muslims in the Valley.&nbsp;

A Hindu-American advocacy group and an organisation of Kashmiri Pandits have urged the US to take action against the Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) terror outfit and its leader Masood Azhar and to condemn the alleged role of Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and China in providing physical and diplomatic cover to such terror organisations.

A Hindu-American advocacy group and an organisation of Kashmiri Pandits have urged the US to take action against the Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) terror outfit and its leader Masood Azhar and to condemn the alleged role of Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and China in providing physical and diplomatic cover to such terror organisations. The move came days after a deadly terror attack on the convoy of CRPF personnel in Pulwama district of Jammu and Kashmir. A suicide bomber from the Pakistan-based JeM drove his explosives-laden vehicle into a CRPF bus on February 14, killing 40 security personnel. The two groups handed over a letter, jointly signed by them, to the US Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom Sam Brownback urging the Trump Administration to take action, both at the international as well as at the domestic levels, to censure the terrorist organisation. "We call upon the US government to condemn in all international fora the role played by Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and China in providing physical and diplomatic cover to terrorists like Masood Azhar that have wreaked havoc in Kashmir," said the letter, signed jointly by the Indo-American Kashmir Forum (IAKF) and the Hindu American Foundation (HAF). The IAKF represents the Kashmiri Pandit community residing in the US, while the HAF is a non-profit advocacy organization for the Hindu-American community. The letter was read in full before Brownback and the participants of the International Religious Freedom held at the US Capitol on Tuesday, by Vijay Sazawal, the international convener of the IAKF. Sazawal said "there is a cultural genocide happening in Kashmir". "The environment of intolerance at the grassroots level only feeds into the ecosystem which breeds terrorists like Masood Azhar who then carry out such transnational attacks in Afghanistan and India," said Jay Kansara of the HAF. Meanwhile, another organization of Kashmiri Pandits said it would host a virtual conference to highlight the paradigm shift which has occurred within the community globally. "The conclave will be an opportunity for the global audience to hear the prespectives of speakers' (from Jammu and Kashmir) and policy positions on the theme of the conference in the light of the present-day developments," the Global Kashmiri Pandit Diaspora (GKPD) said in a statement. Former J-K finance minister Abdul Rahim Rather, Peoples' Democratic Party leader Muzaffar Hussain Baig, chairman of J-K People's Conference Sajjad Gani Lone, president of J-K Bharatiya Janata Party Ravinder Raina, and former union minister and Congress leader Manish Tewari are likely to address the global multi-media event, to be attended by community members from various parts of the world, the media release said. In a separate statement, the Kashmir Hindu Foundation condemned the February 14 terror attack, saying these attacks in Kashmir prove that the radical jihadi mind-set has penetrated deep into the psyche and polluted the minds of a major population of Kashmiri Muslims in the Valley.

Hindu-American, Kashmiri Pandit groups urge US to take action against JeM, Masood

The Saudi Crown Prince’s visit to India has received mix reactions that not only expose lack of consensus about Indian Foreign Policy but also alert us about the urgent need to remove prevailing ambiguity in prioritising our strategic partnerships.&nbsp;

Unfortunately, the crown prince’s visit came soon after the shocking terror arrack on CRPF men in Pulwama when the nation was mourning the martyrs and was under a pall of gloom. Outrage against Pakistan was high as Jaish e Mohammed had accepted responsibility for this barbaric act. This terrorist organisation operates from sanctuaries in Pakistan and its leaders are protected protégés of Pakistani armed forces and its notorious intelligence agency ISI. Saudi Arabia has a long and intimate relationship with Pakistan and it is understandable that the warm welcome extended to the royal guest breaching poetical didn’t go down well with the majority of Indians cutting across party lines.&nbsp;

But the timing of the tour wasn’t the only thing that raised eyebrows. Mohammed Bin Salman has in his itinerary sandwiched India between Pakistan and China. South Block went into overdrive to emphasise that in 21st-century 'enemy’s friend can be our friend’ also. It was argued that we should forge ties with other countries entirely on the basis of our national interest and get rid of the deadwood of ideology.

The problem is that the Saudi Crown Prince has been a controversial figure ever since his succession was signalled. In the beginning, high hopes were aroused that he will usher in an era of long-awaited modernisation leading hopefully sooner rather than later to a whiff of democracy. The detention on charges of corruption of high ranking members of the ruling elite and allowing women to drive reinforced these expectations. But then the brutal murder of Khashoggi, a US journalist of Saudi descent, upset the proverbial apple cart. The assassination may well have been undertaken by rogue elements in Saudi armed forces or intelligence services but the stink hast quite cleared that they perpetrated the crime to please their new master.&nbsp;

Once we accept the logic of realpolitik all this pales into insignificance. So, let us limit ourselves here to an assessment of what we have gained and are likely to gain in foreseeable future from this visit. At the same time, it is imperative to take into account the costs the agreements signed may entail.&nbsp;

We have been informed that Saudi Arabia has promised to invest $100 billion in India in oil refining, infrastructure, tourism, broadcasting and education. India has also been assured that its quota of Haj pilgrims will be doubled to 200,000 per year. Exchange of intelligence will continue and the pro formation condemnation of terrorism is also there without any specifics.&nbsp;

A more than small hiccup here is that one doesn’t know when the 45 billion dollar investment in Oil Refinery will fructify. Earlier, the proposed site was at Ratnagiri but due to strong farmer’s protest, the Maharashtra government has been constrained to announce its shifting. Land acquisition is likely to create obstacles.

Contrast this with what the Pakistan is getting immediately $10 billion out of which $3 billion to bail it out from defaulting on repayment of loans, $3 billion against deferred payments for oil imports and approximately, another $3billion for development of Gwadar port that is described as the ‘Jewel in the Crown’ on China’s One Belt One Road project. It is impossible to overlook that Gwadar is being developed to render impotent the potential of Chabahar in Iran to which India has already committed vast resources and considers extremely important to extend its strategic reach in Afghanistan and beyond in West Asia.&nbsp;

It is true that with the fall in oil prices globally and the US striving to explore shale oil had made Saudi Arab anxious and apprehensive about the future. The Crown Prince has indeed been exploring other options and looking for a new strategic alliance. However, it would be naive to conclude that suddenly India has begun to loom large on Saudi’s mental horizon.&nbsp;

It is impossible not to get alienated from Iran as we get embroiled into a tight embrace with Saudis. The US would like us to be more cordial with their long term allies when they tighten the screws on Iran. It would also like us to follow their lead in Afghanistan. What we must ask is that does this really serves our national interest?&nbsp;

Pakistan does need the Saudi crutches to survive but India is certainly not in such an abject and pitiable situation. We should remain alert that we don’t dissipate our energies chasing a mirage in the distant desert. True, we import 20 per cent of our oil from Saudi Arab and hundreds of thousands of Indians work in that country. This does not mean that we should change course suddenly or drastically dreaming of an Oasis that remains a long and hard way off. 
 
(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

The Saudi Crown Prince’s visit to India has received mix reactions that not only expose lack of consensus about Indian Foreign Policy but also alert us about the urgent need to remove prevailing ambiguity in prioritising our strategic partnerships.

The Saudi Crown Prince’s visit to India has received mix reactions that not only expose lack of consensus about Indian Foreign Policy but also alert us about the urgent need to remove prevailing ambiguity in prioritising our strategic partnerships. Unfortunately, the crown prince’s visit came soon after the shocking terror arrack on CRPF men in Pulwama when the nation was mourning the martyrs and was under a pall of gloom. Outrage against Pakistan was high as Jaish e Mohammed had accepted responsibility for this barbaric act. This terrorist organisation operates from sanctuaries in Pakistan and its leaders are protected protégés of Pakistani armed forces and its notorious intelligence agency ISI. Saudi Arabia has a long and intimate relationship with Pakistan and it is understandable that the warm welcome extended to the royal guest breaching poetical didn’t go down well with the majority of Indians cutting across party lines. But the timing of the tour wasn’t the only thing that raised eyebrows. Mohammed Bin Salman has in his itinerary sandwiched India between Pakistan and China. South Block went into overdrive to emphasise that in 21st-century 'enemy’s friend can be our friend’ also. It was argued that we should forge ties with other countries entirely on the basis of our national interest and get rid of the deadwood of ideology. The problem is that the Saudi Crown Prince has been a controversial figure ever since his succession was signalled. In the beginning, high hopes were aroused that he will usher in an era of long-awaited modernisation leading hopefully sooner rather than later to a whiff of democracy. The detention on charges of corruption of high ranking members of the ruling elite and allowing women to drive reinforced these expectations. But then the brutal murder of Khashoggi, a US journalist of Saudi descent, upset the proverbial apple cart. The assassination may well have been undertaken by rogue elements in Saudi armed forces or intelligence services but the stink hast quite cleared that they perpetrated the crime to please their new master. Once we accept the logic of realpolitik all this pales into insignificance. So, let us limit ourselves here to an assessment of what we have gained and are likely to gain in foreseeable future from this visit. At the same time, it is imperative to take into account the costs the agreements signed may entail. We have been informed that Saudi Arabia has promised to invest $100 billion in India in oil refining, infrastructure, tourism, broadcasting and education. India has also been assured that its quota of Haj pilgrims will be doubled to 200,000 per year. Exchange of intelligence will continue and the pro formation condemnation of terrorism is also there without any specifics. A more than small hiccup here is that one doesn’t know when the 45 billion dollar investment in Oil Refinery will fructify. Earlier, the proposed site was at Ratnagiri but due to strong farmer’s protest, the Maharashtra government has been constrained to announce its shifting. Land acquisition is likely to create obstacles. Contrast this with what the Pakistan is getting immediately $10 billion out of which $3 billion to bail it out from defaulting on repayment of loans, $3 billion against deferred payments for oil imports and approximately, another $3billion for development of Gwadar port that is described as the ‘Jewel in the Crown’ on China’s One Belt One Road project. It is impossible to overlook that Gwadar is being developed to render impotent the potential of Chabahar in Iran to which India has already committed vast resources and considers extremely important to extend its strategic reach in Afghanistan and beyond in West Asia. It is true that with the fall in oil prices globally and the US striving to explore shale oil had made Saudi Arab anxious and apprehensive about the future. The Crown Prince has indeed been exploring other options and looking for a new strategic alliance. However, it would be naive to conclude that suddenly India has begun to loom large on Saudi’s mental horizon. It is impossible not to get alienated from Iran as we get embroiled into a tight embrace with Saudis. The US would like us to be more cordial with their long term allies when they tighten the screws on Iran. It would also like us to follow their lead in Afghanistan. What we must ask is that does this really serves our national interest? Pakistan does need the Saudi crutches to survive but India is certainly not in such an abject and pitiable situation. We should remain alert that we don’t dissipate our energies chasing a mirage in the distant desert. True, we import 20 per cent of our oil from Saudi Arab and hundreds of thousands of Indians work in that country. This does not mean that we should change course suddenly or drastically dreaming of an Oasis that remains a long and hard way off. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

Crown Prince visit: Pakistan needs Saudi Arabia's crutches to survive, but India doesn't

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's visits to Pakistan and then India were dissected and analysed in every aspect — from body language to joint statements to deliverables. With the visit coming just days after the Pulwama attack, New Delhi was clearly focused on terror emanating from Pakistan and sought Riyadh's help to rein in its traditional partner.

What exactly the crown prince had in mind was made clear by the India-Saudi and the Pakistan-Saudi joint statements made. Here is a comparative analysis of the two.

Praises for Modi, Imran

India-Saudi Joint statement: Crown Prince "appreciated consistent efforts made by Prime Minister Modi since May 2014 including his personal initiatives to have friendly relations with Pakistan."

Pakistan-Saudi Joint statement: Crown prince "praised openness and efforts of Prime Minister Imran Khan for dialogue with India and the opening of the Kartarpur crossing point and the efforts exerted by both sides"

India-Pakistan peace process: Creation of conditions vs dialogue only way

India-Saudi Joint statement: Need for creating conditions necessary for resumption of the comprehensive dialogue between India and Pakistan. 
 
<a href="http://www.wionews.com/opinions/crown-prince-visit-pakistan-needs-saudi-arabias-crutches-to-survive-but-india-doesnt-198700">Also read:&nbsp;Pakistan needs Saudi Arabia's crutches to survive, but India doesn't</a>

Pakistan-Saudi Joint statement: Dialogue is the only way to ensure peace and stability in the region to resolve outstanding issues.&nbsp;

China's infrastructure project: Respect for sovereignty vs contribution to development

India-Saudi Joint statement: They should be based on international law including respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity of states

Pakistan-Saudi Joint statement: Stressed the potential of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which will contribute to the development and prosperity of the region.&nbsp;

UN terror sanctions list: Comprehensive sanctioning vs avoiding politicisation&nbsp;

India-Saudi Joint statement: Underlined the importance of comprehensive sanctioning of terrorists and their organisations by the UN

Pakistan-Saudi Joint statement: Underlined the need for avoiding politicisation of UN listing regime.

Terror: Use of terror vs sacrifices made in war against terror

India-Saudi Joint statement: Both sides called on all states to reject the use of terrorism against other countries; dismantle terrorism infrastructures where they happen to exist and to cut off any kind of support and financing to the terrorists perpetrating terrorism from all territories against other states; and bring perpetrators of acts of terrorism to justice. Both sides called upon all countries to renounce the use of terrorism as an instrument of state policy.&nbsp;

Pakistan-Saudi Joint statement: Commitment to continuing combating extremism and terrorism and expressed their deep appreciation for the achievements and sacrifices made by the two sides in the war against terrorism. They also applauded the martyrs who sacrificed their lives in order to confront this serious scourge.

Investment: $100 bn vs $20 bn

India-Saudi Joint statement: Announcement of His Royal Highness to invest in the areas of energy, refining, petrochemicals, infrastructure, agriculture, minerals and mining, manufacturing, education and health potentially worth in excess of $100 billion.

Pakistan-Saudi Joint statement: Royal Highness the Crown Prince and the Prime Minister of Pakistan witnessed the signing of a number of agreements and memorandums of understanding. The total investment opportunities resulted in over US $20 billion

Defence: Make in India, naval exercises vs 'enhancing cooperation'

India-Saudi Joint statement: The two sides agreed to hold the inaugural joint naval exercises at the earliest and agreed to further expand bilateral exercises in other domains. Noting the potential and mutual benefit, the two sides agreed to cooperate and collaborate in joint defence production of spare parts for Naval and Land systems as well as supply chain development, in line with ‘Make in India’ and ‘Vision 2030’.

Pakistan-Saudi Joint statement:&nbsp; 
Both sides noted with satisfaction their strong defence and security ties and agreed to further enhance cooperation in this field to advance shared objectives.&nbsp;

Israel/Palestine: India, Pak back Riyadh's Arab peace&nbsp;initiative &nbsp;

India-Saudi Joint statement: The two sides expressed their hope for achieving a just, comprehensive and lasting peace in the Middle East based on the Arab Peace Initiative and the relevant UN resolutions, to guarantee the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people.&nbsp;

Pakistan-Saudi Joint statement:The two sides expressed their hope for achieving a fair, comprehensive and long-lasting peace in the Middle East in accordance with the Arab Peace Initiative and the resolutions of international legitimacy guaranteeing the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, including the establishment of an independent and viable Palestinian state based on internationally agreed standards 1967 with Jerusalem as its capital.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's visits to Pakistan and then India were dissected and analysed in every aspect — from body language to joint statements to deliverables.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's visits to Pakistan and then India were dissected and analysed in every aspect — from body language to joint statements to deliverables. With the visit coming just days after the Pulwama attack, New Delhi was clearly focused on terror emanating from Pakistan and sought Riyadh's help to rein in its traditional partner. What exactly the crown prince had in mind was made clear by the India-Saudi and the Pakistan-Saudi joint statements made. Here is a comparative analysis of the two. Praises for Modi, Imran India-Saudi Joint statement: Crown Prince "appreciated consistent efforts made by Prime Minister Modi since May 2014 including his personal initiatives to have friendly relations with Pakistan." Pakistan-Saudi Joint statement: Crown prince "praised openness and efforts of Prime Minister Imran Khan for dialogue with India and the opening of the Kartarpur crossing point and the efforts exerted by both sides" India-Pakistan peace process: Creation of conditions vs dialogue only way India-Saudi Joint statement: Need for creating conditions necessary for resumption of the comprehensive dialogue between India and Pakistan. Also read: Pakistan needs Saudi Arabia's crutches to survive, but India doesn't Pakistan-Saudi Joint statement: Dialogue is the only way to ensure peace and stability in the region to resolve outstanding issues. China's infrastructure project: Respect for sovereignty vs contribution to development India-Saudi Joint statement: They should be based on international law including respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity of states Pakistan-Saudi Joint statement: Stressed the potential of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which will contribute to the development and prosperity of the region. UN terror sanctions list: Comprehensive sanctioning vs avoiding politicisation India-Saudi Joint statement: Underlined the importance of comprehensive sanctioning of terrorists and their organisations by the UN Pakistan-Saudi Joint statement: Underlined the need for avoiding politicisation of UN listing regime. Terror: Use of terror vs sacrifices made in war against terror India-Saudi Joint statement: Both sides called on all states to reject the use of terrorism against other countries; dismantle terrorism infrastructures where they happen to exist and to cut off any kind of support and financing to the terrorists perpetrating terrorism from all territories against other states; and bring perpetrators of acts of terrorism to justice. Both sides called upon all countries to renounce the use of terrorism as an instrument of state policy. Pakistan-Saudi Joint statement: Commitment to continuing combating extremism and terrorism and expressed their deep appreciation for the achievements and sacrifices made by the two sides in the war against terrorism. They also applauded the martyrs who sacrificed their lives in order to confront this serious scourge. Investment: $100 bn vs $20 bn India-Saudi Joint statement: Announcement of His Royal Highness to invest in the areas of energy, refining, petrochemicals, infrastructure, agriculture, minerals and mining, manufacturing, education and health potentially worth in excess of $100 billion. Pakistan-Saudi Joint statement: Royal Highness the Crown Prince and the Prime Minister of Pakistan witnessed the signing of a number of agreements and memorandums of understanding. The total investment opportunities resulted in over US $20 billion Defence: Make in India, naval exercises vs 'enhancing cooperation' India-Saudi Joint statement: The two sides agreed to hold the inaugural joint naval exercises at the earliest and agreed to further expand bilateral exercises in other domains. Noting the potential and mutual benefit, the two sides agreed to cooperate and collaborate in joint defence production of spare parts for Naval and Land systems as well as supply chain development, in line with ‘Make in India’ and ‘Vision 2030’. Pakistan-Saudi Joint statement: Both sides noted with satisfaction their strong defence and security ties and agreed to further enhance cooperation in this field to advance shared objectives. Israel/Palestine: India, Pak back Riyadh's Arab peace initiative India-Saudi Joint statement: The two sides expressed their hope for achieving a just, comprehensive and lasting peace in the Middle East based on the Arab Peace Initiative and the relevant UN resolutions, to guarantee the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people. Pakistan-Saudi Joint statement:The two sides expressed their hope for achieving a fair, comprehensive and long-lasting peace in the Middle East in accordance with the Arab Peace Initiative and the resolutions of international legitimacy guaranteeing the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, including the establishment of an independent and viable Palestinian state based on internationally agreed standards 1967 with Jerusalem as its capital.

A comparative analysis of the India-Saudi & Pak-Saudi joint statements

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