Pakistan’s Masood Azhar bounty a ‘gimmick’ to hoodwink people, says MEA
MEA spokesman Randhir Jaiswal. (Image courtesy: X/@MEAIndia)
New Delhi: Pakistan’s recent announcement of a bounty on the Jaish-e-Muhammed chief, Masood Azhar, is a gimmick and an attempt at hoodwinking people, the External Affairs Ministry spokesman, Randhir Jaiswal, said on Tuesday, briefing reporters at the ministry’s biweekly media interaction. He added that India has seen such moves in the past as well.
Jaiswal said Pakistan knows where the wanted individuals are, and that they should be arrested.
The briefing also covered India’s engagement with China following BRICS Summit, Jaiswal said several issues came up during the prime minister, Narendra Modi, discussions with Chinese leaders, including India’s concerns on the broader relationship. Both sides should show sensitivity to each other’s core concerns and be guided by mutual respect, mutual interests and mutual sensitivity, he said.
The minister of external affairs, S Jaishankar, met his Saudi counterpart on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit, where the two discussed regional and international developments, including the recent Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia. Jaiswal said India has condemned the attacks, including those targeting civilian and economic areas, and termed them unacceptable, noting that such strikes threaten freedom of navigation in the Bab al-Mandab Strait.
On India-Russia ties, Jaiswal said energy cooperation remains an important pillar of the bilateral partnership, with the two countries also collaborating on nuclear energy. India wants to take the energy relationship forward, he said.
Jaiswal described India’s BRICS chairship as a major success, saying India was able to build consensus among all member nations. The summit concluded with the adoption of a joint declaration, with leaders discussing reform of global governance institutions, the strengthening of multilateralism, greater voice for developing countries, and counterterrorism. A total of 32 delegations took part, comprising 11 BRICS member states, 10 partner countries, four regional organizations and seven international organizations.
The briefing also covered the ongoing search for an Indian seafarer who remains missing off the coast of Oman. Jaiswal said rescue operations are continuing and the Indian Embassy is in close touch with the Omani authorities. He reiterated that the targeting of seafarers is unacceptable.
Asked about the Asean Women’s Cup trophy, Jaiswal said the matter falls under the Board of Control for Cricket in India.
