General Qamar Bajwa, Pakistan’s army chief, said on April 2 that all disputes with India should be resolved peacefully through dialogue, adding that Islamabad remains committed to using diplomacy to resolve all outstanding issues, including Kashmir, in order to keep the “flames of fire away from our region.”
General Bajwa made the remarks on the final day of the two-day “Islamabad Security Dialogue,” which brought together Pakistani and international policy professionals to explore new issues in international security under the topic “Comprehensive Security: Reimagining International Cooperation.”
With one-third of the world’s population participating in conflict and battle in the Gulf area and elsewhere, the Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) stated that “it is critical that we keep the flames of fire away from our region.”
Bajwa said Pakistan remains committed to diplomacy
“Pakistan remains committed to using conversation and diplomacy to settle all outstanding issues, including the Kashmir dispute,” Gen. Bajwa added.
His proposal for peace with India had a broader meaning, as he implied that India, Pakistan, and China should engage in some sort of trilateral dialogue to achieve an inclusive peace, as he stated that, in addition to the Kashmir dispute, the India-China border dispute is also a source of concern for Pakistan, and “we want it to be resolved quickly through dialogue and diplomacy.” “I believe it is past time for the region’s political leaders to rise above their emotional and perceptual prejudices and break the chains of history in order to deliver peace and prosperity to the region’s almost three billion people,” Gen. Bajwa said.
He did, however, say that the Indian leaders’ obstinate behavior was a roadblock. In August 2019, India announced the withdrawal of Jammu and Kashmir’s special powers and the division of the state into two Union Territories, further deteriorating bilateral relations.
Jammu & Kashmir, India has repeatedly assured Pakistan, “was, is, and will forever” remain an integral part of the country. India has expressed its wish for regular neighborly relations with Islamabad in a free of terror, hatred, and violent environment.
Bajwa Said Missile firing raised worries
He claimed that India’s “accidental missile firing” last month raised worries about its competence to operate high-end weapon systems, which was exacerbated by the country’s refusal to share specifics with Pakistan. The missile, which was launched on March 9, landed in the Mian Channu area of Khanewal district, and the Indian “high-speed flying object” was revealed a day later when the Army disclosed details of it. India described the incident as an accident in a statement released on March 11.
General Bajwa stated that it was a “major issue” and that “we want India to produce evidence to satisfy Pakistan and the rest of the world that their weapons are safe and secure.” “Unlike past events involving strategic weapons systems, this is the first time in history that a nuclear-armed nation’s supersonic cruise missile has landed in another,” he said.
He also stated that a “peaceful and prosperous West and South Asia is our aim,” and that Pakistan’s National Security Policy is based on the principles of unity and diversity in order to promote national security coherence and harmony.
“We think that peace and security in our wider region are necessary for attaining shared regional wealth and growth,” the COAS added, recognizing that regions, not countries, grow. “All of our neighbors are welcome to come in,” he stated. General Bajwa described the situation on the Line of Control (LoC) as “pleasant and pretty tranquil,” noting that no incidents had occurred along the LoC in the previous year, much to the relief of residents on both sides. Pakistan, he said, believes in peace and the use of dialogue to resolve disputes.