New Delhi:
After Imran Khan warned of nuclear devastation in event of an Indo-Pak conflict, India said that Khan's threat of qualified as "brinksmanship, not statesmanship". Vidisha Maitra, said that Pakistan's "virulent reaction" over the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir depicts that "those who thrive on conflict never welcome the ray of peace".
While Pakistan representatives was seen carefully taking notes, Maitra addressed Prime Minister with his full name, Imran Khan Niazi, at one point.
Maitra also slammed Pakistan for their langauge of hatred used in Imran Khan's speech. "Every word spoken from the podium of this August Assembly, it is believed, carries the weight of history. Unfortunately, what we heard today from Prime Minister Imran Khan of Pakistan was a callous portrayal of the world in binary terms. Us vs Them; Rich vs Poor; North vs South; Developed Vs Developing; Muslims vs Others."
"A script that fosters divisiveness at the UN. Attempts to sharpen differences and stir up hatred, are simply put – ‘hate speech’."
"Prime Minister Khan's threat of unleashing nuclear devastation qualifies as brinkmanship, not statesmanship," Maitra said.
During his address, Khan warned of dire "consequences" in the event of a nuclear war with India over the Kashmir issue. "If a conventional war starts between the two countries anything could happen. A country seven times smaller than its neighbour what will it do - either surrender or fight for its freedom," he had said in his maiden address to the UN General Assembly.
"My belief is we will fight and when a nuclear-armed country fights till the end it will consequence far beyond the borders. I am warning you. It's not a threat but worry about where are we heading. If this goes wrong you hope for the best but prepare for the worst," Khan said.
