ISLAMABAD – New Delhi has exposed Pakistan’s nuclear bluff, Indian FinanceMinister Arun Jaitley said on an Indian TV channel, as cited by theHindustan Times. Sputnik has discussed the statement with Asif Durrani,former Pakistani ambassador to Iran and the UAE, who also served in India,Afghanistan, the UK and the Pakistan Mission to the UN in New York.
Sputnik: Meanwhile Pakistan’s Foreign Office says that India’s claimsabout F-16s are aimed to satisfy Indian domestic audiences. Is this thecase?
Asif Durrani: We didn’t use the F-16s; we, in fact, used JF-17 Thunder,which is made by Pakistan and China in the joint collaboration. So, it isall wrong; [it is] propaganda by the Indians. While they have been engagingin this kind of propaganda, it has not served their purpose and if theywant to do it, by all means, they can do it.
Sputnik: Iran meanwhile sided with New Delhi, warning Islamabad against“state-sponsored terrorism which sources are well-known”. What exactly isTehran referring to?
Asif Durrani: Between Iran and Pakistan, we’ve had this problem becausethey also have a problem in Balochistan. We have problems with ourBalochistan. And on both sides, the Baluch people struggle both sidesof the border.
Under the easement rights whereby both sides, the divided sides, can travelto each other within 60 kilometres of the border. So, we understand whatIran is trying to say. But we also have some complaints, which have beenaddressed.
And let me tell you also that in the past whenever if someone was involvedfrom our Balochistan, we had this connection; and if there were someIranian Baloch who were involved and took shelter in our Balochistan; thosewere apprehended and handed over to the Iranians.
So I think we both understand what we are talking about; and yes, the IRGCcommander has spoken about something in harsh words, we have registeredthat but we have told Iran our point of view through the diplomaticchannels. – Sputnik