Pakistan senators call for steps to counter India's 'aggressive foreign policy'

Upset over India's "aggressive" foreign policy moves, especially in the wake of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent visits to Afghanistan, Iran, the UAE and Qatar, Pakistani senators have asked the government to immediately "rectify its diplomatic failings".

The senators highlighted the recent visits of Modi to various countries which were considered to be friends of Pakistan, including Saudi Arabia, and expressed concern over India's growing relations with these Islamic Republic countries, it was reported on Wednesday.

The concern of the Senators comes as Modi is on the fourth leg of a five-nation visit that took him to the Afghanistan, Qatar, Switzerland, US and Mexico.

Replying to a discussion on an adjournment motion moved by Pakistan Muslim League (PML)-N's Javed Abbasi on the "recent test of an intercept missile by India contributing to an unhealthy arms race in the region", Advisor to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz on Tuesday asserted that Pakistan would take all possible measures to augment its defence capabilities.

"Pakistan is not oblivious to its defence requirements and upgrading its capabilities through suitable technologies without entering into an arms race," he said, adding that "our efforts for peace and friendship must not be interpreted as our weakness. We are fully capable to defend our people and territory".

Aziz said the country's scientists and experts were monitoring and evaluating the strategic threats that Indian nuclear doctrine posed to national security. He said that despite limited resources, Pakistan had developed a robust nuclear deterrent system.

The advisor said Pakistan was planning to highlight the "dangerous implications" of India's plan to nuclearise the Indian Ocean at all the relevant international forums. He said Pakistan was also considering the option of moving a resolution in the UN General Assembly, seeking to declare the Indian Ocean as nuclear-free.

--IANS

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