Islamabad, Pakistan (CU)_ Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Pakistan’s Foreign Minister, accused India of nuclearizing the Indian Ocean. He said that the central government introduced modern revolutionary weapons systems and delivery platforms into its naval arsenals. The expansion of Indian navy is also a cause for concern as it became a threat to peace and security in the Indian ocean primarily due to nuclearization started by India.
According to a statement from the Foreign Ministry, during his address at the International Maritime Conference in the southern port city of Karachi, Qureshi assured that his country would stay committed to take appropriate steps to ensure its stability and to maintain a credible minimum deterrence. Qureshi added, “The Indian Ocean offers promising potential for mutual cooperation and collaboration. But geostrategic competition and the pursuit of military dominance by some states have gravely jeopardized that potential”.
The foreign minister accused India for its aggressive and violent policies which became an immediate and systemic threat to international and regional peace and security. The Minister said, “The international community needs be cognizant of the fact that any military conflict in South Asia could endanger stability in a region that is critical for global trade flows and security”.
The conference was held in the port city of Karachi on Friday and was hosted by Pakistan. It was part of a week-long multinational naval exercise. With the extensive presence of delegates from 45 nations, including the US, Russia, China and Turkey, this is the first time in a decade that Moscow has joined NATO participants in a military exercise. The Brazen Monarch exercise off Spain’s coast in 2011 was the last such event.
Commodore Ariya Shafghat Rodsari, head of the delegation of General Staff of the Armed Forces of Iran, Colonel Mostafa Ghanbarpour, military attaché of the Islamic Republic of Iran, President of Pakistan Arif Alvi, Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Mohammad Amjad Khan Niazi, President of Pakistan administered Kashmir Sardar Massood Khan and President of National Institute of Maritime Affairs (NIMA) also attended the conference.
