Ministry of External Affairs Randhir Jaiswal Pakistan Nawaz Sharif Rafah lahore agreement

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Thursday reacted to Former Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s “Pakistan’s violation of the Lahore Agreement in 1999” remark by saying that there is an objective view emerging in Pakistan.

In the weekly press briefing, Randhir Jaiswal, official Spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs said, “You are aware of our position on the issue. We note that there is an objective view emerging in Pakistan as well.”

The MEA statement comes after Nawaz Sharif on Tuesday admitted that Islamabad violated the agreement signed by him and former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee with India in 1999. 

ALSO READ | 25 Years After Kargil War, Nawaz Sharif Admits To Pakistan’s Violation Of Lahore Agreement

Sharif made the statement in reference to the attack carried out by General Pervez Musharraf in Kargil. 

#WATCH | Delhi: On Nawaz Sharif’s comments on the Lahore Declaration, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal says, “You are aware of our position on the issue. We note that there is an objective view emerging in Pakistan as well.” pic.twitter.com/2bjSuPaJkq

— ANI (@ANI) May 30, 2024

“On May 28, 1998, Pakistan conducted five nuclear tests. After that Vajpayee sahab came here and signed an agreement with us. But we violated that agreement. It was our mistake,” Nawaz Sharif said. 

Sharif and Vajpayee signed the Lahore Declaration on February 21, 1999, after a historic summit in Lahore. The agreement that talked about a vision of peace and stability between the two countries signalled a major breakthrough, but a few months later Pakistani intrusion in the Kargil district in Jammu and Kashmir led to the Kargil War, according to PTI.

The MEA also spoke on the situation in Bishkek saying that the situation in Kyrgyzstan capital remains normal.

“The situation in Bishkek remains normal. Over two weeks ago, some incidents involving foreign students from other countries happened which concerned our students. Our Embassy immediately got in touch with Indian students to ensure their safety and welfare. They opened 24X7 helplines to assist them,” Jaiswal said.

He added that there are direct flights daily between Delhi and Bishkek, and via Almaty, available for students who wish to travel home for summer vacation. 

Speaking on the situation in Rafah, where the Israeli strikes killed at least 45 Palestinians earlier this week, Randhir Jaiswal said India calls for the protection of the civilian population and respect for international humanitarian law in the ongoing conflict. 

“The heartbreaking loss of civilian lives in the displacement camp in Rafah is a matter of deep concern. We have consistently called for the protection of the civilian population and respect for international humanitarian law in the ongoing conflict. We also note that the Israeli side has already accepted responsibility for it as a tragic accident and announced an investigation into the incident,” he added.