India’s “aggressive posturing” will affect peace in South Asia, Pakistan’s interior minister cautioned British Prime Minister Theresa May during a meeting on Tuesday.
Nisar Ali Khan had a scheduled meeting with Britain’s National Security Adviser, Mark Lyall Grant, on Tuesday when the British premier “dropped in”, according to UK government sources.
“India’s hegemonic stance and aggressive posturing is a threat to peace and stability in the region,” Khan said.
“The world and our friends needed to do more to counter Indian designs against Pakistan and should stop seeing South Asia through the Indian prism... Pakistan would not cow down to bullying tactics... we reserve the right to avenge the blatant and unprovoked killing of our soldiers...The people of Pakistan and its security institutions are determined to wipe out terrorism from its soil,” he added.
May reportedly conveyed her good wishes to Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and the Pakistani minister congratulated her on her assumption of office as prime minister.
After the meeting, the Pakistani minister told reporters from the Pakistani media that May was “looking forward” to a visit Pakistan in the first half of 2017.
He emphasised that May’s visit to Pakistan would be timely in the context of regional scenario prevailing in South Asia, and would open new channels of bilateral and multilateral cooperation and coordination.
{{/usCountry}}He emphasised that May’s visit to Pakistan would be timely in the context of regional scenario prevailing in South Asia, and would open new channels of bilateral and multilateral cooperation and coordination.
{{/usCountry}}On peace in the region, he told Lyall Grant that “a peaceful and stable Afghanistan is in the interest of Pakistan”.
He stressed that friendly relations of Pakistan with its neighbouring countries were based on the principle of reciprocity, which is a fundamental and important element of Pakistan’s foreign policy.
Khan also held a meeting with UK home secretary Amber Rudd earlier this week.