‘Secularism is only way for good ties with India’,Army chief tells Pakistan

 

Pune, NOV 30: The Amy Chief, Bipin Rawat said, Pakistan’s claim of taking strong steps towards good bilateral relations was contradictory without visible impact on ground.

General Rawat was delivering a lecture at National Defense Academy (NDA) passing out parade ceremony at Pune.

Responding to Imran Khan’s statement that, ‘if India takes one step forward, Pakistan will take two steps, he said, ‘Pakistan has to develop as a secular state, if it wants good tie with India. India taken the fist step many times, it is Islamabad’s turn to show concrete action against terror’.

Further he said, ‘Pakistan has made its state as Islamic state, if they want to stay together with India, then they have to develop as secular state. We are secular state. If they are willing to become secular like us, then they seem to have an opportunity. There is contradiction in what they are saying. One step from there should come in positive manner. We will see if the step has an effect on ground. Till then our nation has clear policy, terror and talks can’t go together’.

India has for the second time refused to attend a SAARC summit in Pakistan. Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj said on Wednesday that dialogue between India and Pakistan can start ‘the moment Pakistan stops terrorist activities in India’.