- Russia has said that it would be ready to become a mediator in resolving the conflict between India and Pakistan, if the parties need it. Pakistan has already accepted the offer of mediation, what is the position of India?
The issue of mediation is not on the table. Russian President Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Narendra Modi had a telephone conversation and during the conversation the question of mediation was not raised at all. Russia supports, as a matter of principle, the actions of India to protect its interests when confronted with cross-border terrorism, which we face. As you remember, two weeks ago forty Indian military personnel were killed in a terrorist attack perpetuated by the Jaish-e-Mohammad group, which is based in Pakistan. The group has openly claimed responsibility for the attack. Therefore, the question here is that Pakistan must take action against terrorist groups that are based on its territory. Of course, the terrorist attack was followed by certain actions of both India and Pakistan. In response to our counter-terrorism operation Islamabad executed a large-scale raid by Air Force planes in the Indian airspace. India was forced to defend its interests, including through the use of MiG-21 fighter aircrafts supplied by Russia, which brought down the Pakistani F-16.
So, the question, in fact, is that Pakistan must stop supporting terrorism. Then the conditions for a dialogue between India and Pakistan will be created.
- Do you mean that Pakistan’s withdrawal of support to terrorism is a pre-condition for the start of negotiations between New Delhi and Islambad?
No, it is not a pre-condition. This creates a necessary atmosphere so that we can negotiate with Pakistan. India’s position is very clear - we are always ready for a dialogue with Pakistan in an atmosphere free from terrorism.
- According to India, in this situation, there is no need at all in any mediation in order to resolve the latest escalation with Pakistan? Neither Russian, nor, for example, that of the USA?
I want to emphasize that we did not receive a formal offer of mediation. And even we do, we will not accept it. So far, no country has offered to mediate in resolving the conflict. And it is not a question of mediation, but whether Pakistan takes action that will create an atmosphere for the continuation of the dialogue. First of all, it must be actions against terrorist groups that are based on their territory.
- In general, how would you assess the position of the United States and Russia in the light of recent events? What role, in your opinion, could Moscow play?
The USA has expressed full support to India. Washington has clearly stated that India has all the rights for self-defense, and Pakistan must fight the terrorist groups based there. Russia's position is also very clear and unambiguous. In a conversation with the Prime Minister of India President Putin has expressed support for New Delhi, his strategic partner. In our opinion, the role of Russia may also consist in influencing Pakistan so that it does not allow terrorist groups to use its territory.
- Do you see the risks of the current tensions on the border developing into a full-scale military conflict?
I hope this does not happen. The situation is already stabilizing and stabilizing rather quickly. India has clearly stated that it is not interested in an escalation of the situation. And the best way to achieve a normal state of affairs in the region resides in the actions of Pakistan in the fight against terrorist groups. This is not a fight between India and Pakistan. It is a question of India protecting its interests in the face of the threat from terrorist groups. India is not the only country in the region that suffers from their actions.
- India does not intend to continue air strikes?
No, we do not have such plans at the moment.
- The Foreign Minister of Pakistan said that the head of the Islamist group "Jaish-e-Mohammad" Masood Azhar was in the country and invited New Delhi to present "convincing evidence" of the group’s involvement in terrorist attacks. Is India ready to provide such evidence?
Such statements coming from Islambad have no basis. The UN Security Council is currently considering a proposal to include the leader of «Jaish-e-Muhammad» in the list of persons who are involved in terrorist activities. This proposal has already been supported by France, the U.K., the USA and Russia. It is absolutely clear that Pakistan should do more. We believe that Islambad should match its words with concrete deeds.
During the last meeting of the FATF (Financial Action Task Force on Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorism - Ed.), Pakistan received an admonition, it was said that the country should make more efforts to combat the terrorist groups based on its territory. Islambad is still providing them with financial support. India is not the only country that believes that Pakistan should stop supporting terrorist groups.
- Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan had previously offered India to conduct a joint investigation of the terrorist attack, when in mid-February a suicide bomber blew himself up in the vicinity of a paramilitary police convoy in the northern Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir. On what conditions is India ready to accept this offer?
Two years ago there was an attack on the Indian airbase in Pathankot. We proposed that a joint attack investigation group work on the site. The Pakistani side was allowed to visit the airbase in order to analyse what happened. However, after our offer, Islambad did not take any measures in the end, although there was evidence that the attack was carried out by terrorist groups based in Pakistan.
Speaking of the accident that happened on February 14, the investigation is not a key issue. Because the group, which is based in Pakistan, has already claimed responsibility for the attack. What else can be investigated? We do not believe that this Pakistani offer should be considered seriously.
- Is India planning to put before the UN Security Council the latest exchange of air strikes on the border with Pakistan ?
That will not be necessary, because it will not achieve any goals, actions should be taken not by the Security Council, but by Pakistan and the Pakistani government, which should fulfill its own promises.
- Pakistan has handed over to India the captured Indian pilot, calling his release a “goodwill gesture”. Does New Delhi intend, for its part, to make some kind of a “goodwill gesture” in return?
We welcome the fact that Pakistan has released the Indian pilot. But India and Pakistan are not at war, so there are no reasons to detain our pilot in Pakistan and we are very happy that he returned home.
As I have already said, New Delhi is ready for a dialogue with Pakistan, when Islambad can take really serious actions to combat terrorist groups.
