Bilawal Bhutto’s comments on PM Modi uncivilised: India

 These comments are a new low, even for Pakistan... the perpetrators of the 26/11 attacks as well as the masterminds of the 1993 Mumbai blasts all remain at large in this country,” says External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi.

KALLOL BHATTACHERJEE

Pakistan's Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari. File | Photo credit: AP

India on Friday criticized Pakistan for what it called an "uncivilized outburst" by Pakistani Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying cities around the world "bear the scars" of Pakistani terrorism.

The comments follow a heated exchange that began at a UN Security Council counter-terrorism briefing in New York on Thursday, where External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar called Pakistan the "epicenter of terrorism".

In his reply, Mr. Bhutto Zardari said, “Osama bin Laden is dead. But the butcher from Gujarat lives and is the Prime Minister of India.

Also read | Pakistan rejects Indian criticism of Foreign Minister Bilawal's 'uncivilized' outburst

"The uncivilized outburst by Pakistan's foreign minister appears to be the result of Pakistan's growing inability to use terrorists and their proxies," said Arindam Bagchi, an official spokesman for the Ministry of External Affairs. “We wish Pakistan's foreign minister would have listened more sincerely to the testimony of Mrs. Anjali Kulthe, a Mumbai nurse who saved the lives of 20 pregnant women from the bullets of Pakistani terrorist Ajmal, at the UN Security Council yesterday [Thursday]. Kasab. It is clear that the Foreign Secretary was more interested in whitewashing the role of Pakistan.

Mr. Bagchi further said that the perpetrators of the 26/11 attacks, Hafiz Saeed, Masood Azhar and Sajjad Mir, as well as the mastermind of the 1993 Mumbai blasts, Dawood Ibrahim, all remained at large in Pakistan. “Cities like New York, Mumbai, Pulwama, Pathankot and London are among the many cities that bear the scars of Pakistan-sponsored and fueled terrorism. This violence emanated from their special terror zones and was exported to all parts of the world. “Make in Pakistan” terrorism must stop,” the spokesperson said.

Also read | Effigy of Bilawal Bhutto burnt in Tirupati for his comments on PM Modi

Responding to Mr Bhutto Zardari's attack on the prime minister, Mr Bagchi said: “These comments are a new low, even for Pakistan. Pakistan's foreign minister has apparently forgotten this day in 1971 [liberation of Bangladesh on 16 December], which was a direct result of the genocide unleashed by Pakistan's rulers against ethnic Bengalis and Hindus.

“Unfortunately, Pakistan does not seem to have changed much in its treatment of its minorities. He definitely lacks the credentials to insult India,” Mr. Bagchi said.

Also read | BJP workers protest against Pakistan minister's remarks about PM Modi

Mr Bagchi's comments were echoed by Minister of State for External Affairs Meenakshi Lekhi, who pointed out that Pakistan's record as a sponsor of terrorism had led to its inclusion on the FATF (Financial Action Task Force) greylist. "If the foreign minister of a country makes a statement like that, it doesn't sit well with him. This country has been included in the FATF gray list several times. The country he represents is incubating terrorism,” Ms. Lekhi said. Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur also condemned Mr Bhutto Zardari's comments.