Yesterday, at the cabinet meeting, it was decided to approve granting the Most Favoured Nation (MFN) status to India. Pakistan has some long-standing issues with India. On one hand, Pakistan is granting the MFN status to India, while, on the other hand, India is buying the most sophisticated aircraft from the US. What is your comment? Can you confirm whether the MFN status has been given to India or not?
I would refer you to the press note that was issued by the ministry of commerce yesterday, following the cabinet meeting. It says, “The ministry of commerce apprised the federal cabinet on the current process of trade normalisation between India and Pakistan. The cabinet fully endorsed the efforts of the ministry to complete normalisation of trade relations and directed to implement, in letter and spirit, the decisions taken in this regard. The cabinet gave the ministry of commerce the mandate to take the process of normalisation forward, which would culminate in the observance of the MFN principle in its true spirit.” It is evident that we wish to normalise trade relations with India in a mutually beneficial manner. The cabinet unanimously decided in principle to grant the MFN status to India, where both sides will have to work towards it, in further engagements by the commerce secretraies.
In the ongoing bilateral dialogue between India and Pakistan — the resumed dialogue between Pakistan and India — all critically important issues are on the table and being repeatedly discussed. As I have already said in our last briefing, the issue of peace and security, Jammu and Kashmir, for example, was discussed by the foreign secretaries in the meeting that was held earlier this year, and later by foreign ministers themselves. A reference to this discussion was also included in the joint statement that was adopted following the visit by the foreign minister to India. The press note sent out by the ministry clearly reflects the direction the government has decided to take with regard to normalisation of trade relations with India.
What is the status of Pakistan-India ties? Would you characterise/maintain India as a ‘hostile’ state? Is India a ‘hostile’ state after grant of the MFN status? I will refer you to the Istanbul conference?
Pakistan and India have a resumed dialogue process which aims at ensuring what the governments of both countries have repeatedly stated — to work for peace, stability and prosperity in the region. Both Pakistan and India agree their bilateral relationship is important and critical for their economic development. The most important thing that we have to underline is that there is an effort being made by both countries towards establishing friendly relations and resolution of differences and disputes.
You did read out a reference to training. Am I to understand that Afghanistan has now decided to say yes to Pakistan’s efforts in the past to send trainers to Afghanistan to train the Afghan military?
Look at the joint statement issued at the conclusion of the sixth trilateral summit (Afghanistan-Pakistan-Turkey), especially paragraph 6 which welcomes the signing of the protocol on conduct of mutual exercises and on training cooperation. The documents adopted are two separate protocols: training of police personnel or counter-terrorism/law enforcement; and, training of the military personnel. Both include a training component. So, all three states have signed documents that provide for training of personnel.
We know Pakistan’s stand on Libya before Qaddafi and after Qaddafi. Does Pakistan recognise the government of Libya?
Pakistan maintains an embassy in Libya. There is a Libyan embassy in Islamabad. We have long-standing ties with the Libyans. We wish them a prosperous future. It is important to note that in case of any change in government, not every time is the government recognised; it is the state that is recognised. And, we recognise both the state and the government of Libya.
So many other countries have recognised the new set-up, why does Pakistan want to be different?
Pakistan has clearly stated that in the context of any discussion on recognition of any government, there is never recognition of a particular government; there is always a recognition of the state. From here flows the recognition of the government. We recognise both the state and the government of Libya.
In case of the US strike against Iran, what would be Pakistan’s position?
We want all issues to be resolved peacefully. We do not want to see ratcheting of tension in the region.
Edited excerpts from the news conference of a spokesperson of Pakistan’s ministry of foreign affairs, in Islamabad on November 3
