External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar has slammed Pakistan for using terrorism as a diplomatic tool against India. He has also lashed out at Pakistan for using terror as a state policy and for obstructing trade and connectivity in the region. Jaishankar spoke about it at an event in Moscow, where he is on a two-day visit. Jaishankar is also scheduled to meet his Russian counterpart, Sergey Lavrov.

EAM Jaishankar states "Pakistan's problem"

Speaking at the influential think tank Valdai Discussion Club, the EAM said, "Problem with Pakistan is very different. I would say if today you look at international relations, I cannot think of any other country in the world, which actually uses terrorism as a diplomatic tool against its neighbour. It is a very unique phenomenon." He also added, “They did not give us Most Favoured Nation (MFN) status even though New Delhi has granted them. They did not allow connectivity with Afghanistan. So if you have a neighbour who will not trade with you normally, who would not allow connectivity, who thinks that using terrorism as a means of pressurising you is okay, it's not a normal thing.”

The EAM also said that he hoped that Pakistan would become a “normal neighbour,” when asked about any convergence between the two nations in the future. This is Jaishankar’s first visit to Russia after assuming office in May. He will attend the India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission - Technical and Economic Cooperation. Jaishankar will also hold talks on the situation in Afghanistan, Iran and the Gulf region. Both the sides will address a press conference following the talks, announcing the top developments including regional convergence.

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Moscow’s stand on Kashmir

Moscow has supported New Delhi's move to nullify Article 370 and 35A, revoking the special status for the former state of Jammu and Kashmir. It was the first member of the permanent five nations of the United Nations Security Council to back the move.

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Russia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in response to a question, had said, "Change in the status of the state of Jammu and Kashmir and its division into two union territories are carried out within the framework of the Constitution of the Republic of India." NSA Ajit Doval last week visited Moscow at the invitation of Nikolai Patrushev, Secretary of the Russian National Security Council and discussed regional cooperation. Russia's deputy permanent representative, Dimitry Polyanskiy told reporters before entering the closed-door meeting of the UN that Moscow's view is that it is a "bilateral issue" between India and Pakistan.

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Repealing of Article 370 by India

On August 5, India revoked Article 370 of the Constitution removing special status to Jammu and Kashmir. Additionally, it has also bifurcated the state into two Union Territories -- Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh. Since then, Pakistan has taken various steps to internationalize the issue but it has failed on the world stage as many countries have supported India and not termed the issue as an international one.

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