India today said that Pakistan must be held accountable for its horrific human rights violations in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir. Responding to a query during a media briefing in New Delhi, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal highlighted the reports of protests in several areas of Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, including brutalities by Pakistani forces on innocent civilians. He said that New Delhi believes this is a natural consequence of Pakistan’s oppressive approach and its systemic plundering of resources from these territories, which remain under its forcible and illegal occupation. 

 

 

Mr. Jaiswal also categorically rejected claims made by Bangladesh Home Adviser Jahangir Alam Chowdhury that the recent unrest was fuelled by external influences, including India. He termed these as false and baseless allegations. Mr. Jaiswal said that the interim government, which is unable to maintain law and order in Bangladesh, has routinely sought to shift blame elsewhere. 

 

 

On Lawrence Bishnoi gang being designated as a terror entity in Canada, the spokesperson stated that National Security Adviser Ajit Doval met Canada’s National Security and Intelligence Advisor Nathalie Drouin on 1the 8th of last month in New Delhi. They had productive discussions on advancing the bilateral relationship in areas such as counter terrorism, combating transnational organised crime and intelligence exchanges.

 

 

They agreed to strengthen security cooperation and further reinforce existing mechanisms of engagement, and the two sides remain in touch on all these issues. Mr Jaiswal also informed that Afghanistan’s Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi will be on a visit to India from 9th to 16th October. He said that New Delhi has been having a conversation with the interim government in Afghanistan. He added that India sent relief material via Chabahar to Kunar province of Afghanistan after the recent earthquake. 

 

 

On Russia, the spokesperson said today marks 25 years of the establishment India-Russia Strategic Partnership. He said India and Russia enjoy a special and privileged strategic partnership. He said New Delhi looks forward to strengthening these ties and wants to enhance each and every segment, including trade issues, economic issues, investment issues, defence relations, and science and technology.