New Delhi:
The Ministry of Extenal Affairs spokesperson Raveesh Kumar on Thursday said that the second India and USA 2+2 ministerial dialogue will be held on December 18 in Washington DC. He further added that Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Foreign Minister S Jaishankar will lead the Indian delegation.
During his briefing, Raveesh Kumar launched a scathing attack against Pakistan for its comment on Citizenship Amendment Bill (CAB). Advising to introspect first, Kumar said Pakistan should focus on its treatment of minorities rather than commenting on India's internal matter.
"Don't think we need to respond to every statement of Pakistan PM. All his statements are unwarranted, he should rather pay attention to the condition of minorities in Pakistan than comment on internal matters of India," he said.
The BJP also hit back at Pakistan prime minister Imran Khan for his criticism of the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, describing his remarks as a blatant interference in India’s affairs.
“Imran Khan’s comments on India’s legislation constitute blatant interference in India’s affairs...India is protecting minorities you (Imran Khan) failed to protect. With your views similar to the Congress on Article 370, CAB, etc, Tehreek-e-Insaf is looking like a new partner of Cong-led UPA,” BJP spokesperson G V L Narasimha Rao said.
When asked about the reports of PM Modi and Japan PM Shinzo Abe summit (December 15-16) to be shifted out of Guwahati and Imphal, Kumar said that the ministry has no update regarding the same. On Bangladesh Foreign Minister’s cancelation of visit to India, Raveesh Kumar said, “He has given his explanation on cancelling his visit. Our relationship is strong. As leaders of both the countries have said, "this is the golden age of our relations."
