External Affairs Ministry today said India continues to be in touch with all concerned countries for the safe transit of its ships to meet country’s energy requirements. Briefing the media in New Delhi this afternoon, Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said four ships laden with LPG have arrived in India after crossing Strait of Hormuz so far. On purchase of energy requirements, Mr Jaiswal highlighted India’s broad approach to sourcing energy needs. He added that it is based on New Delhi’s imperative to secure the needs of 1.4 billion people, dynamics of the market and the global situation. He said these three issues are vital for decision-making regarding energy sourcing.

Replying to a query on Bangladesh, the spokesperson said everyone is aware of the terrible atrocities committed by Pakistan during ‘Operation Searchlight’ in 1971. He said India is in support of Bangladesh in its desire for justice. Mr Jaiswal said the genocide involved systematic and targeted murder of millions of innocent Bangladeshi people and mass sexual crimes against women. He said it forced millions to flee the country and seek shelter in India as refugees and these atrocities shook the conscience of the world. He said Pakistan, however, remains in denial to this very day of its crimes.

The spokesperson also pointed out that the shrinking number of minorities in Pakistan reflects the decades of fear, marginalisation, oppression and neglect that they have had to endure at the hands of the Pakistani state. He said the abysmal record of Pakistan when it comes to the protection of human rights of minorities is also well documented.