'Modi raising Balochistan issue not interference in Pakistan's affairs'

Prime Minister Narendra Modi raising the issue of human rights violations in Balochistan during his Independence Day speech cannot be seen as interference in Pakistan's internal affairs, sources here said on Wednesday.

"The Balochistan issue is nothing new as human rights abuses have been happening there," the sources said.

"It (Modi's reference) is an expression of concern over what is happening there," they said.

Asked if it was not an interference in Pakistan's internal affairs, they said that India has "spoken out on distressing human rights situations in other parts of the world as well".

In a first for any Prime Minister in an August 15 address, Modi referred to human rights abuses in Balochistan and the part of Kashmir Pakistan controls.

"The world is watching. People of Balochistan, Gilgit, Baltistan and occupied Kashmir have thanked me a lot in the past few days. I am grateful to them," Modi said, referring to his comments last week on excesses in Pakistan's largest province and in the Kashmir it holds.

He said the way people from these Pakistani regions "wished me well, gives me great joy".

In thanking an Indian Prime Minister, "they have thanked the whole population of my country", he said. "I want to offer my gratitude to these people".

--IANS

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