Pakistan accuses US of speaking India's language and of dual standards on Kashmir issue

PM Modi and President Trump met in Washington on Tuesday. 

HIGHLIGHTS

Pakistan's comments come after two developments put it in an embarrassing spotlight. The US named Hizbul Mujahideen chief Syed Salahuddin a 'Specially Designated Global Terrorist'. An Indo-US statement urged Islamabad "to ensure that its territory is not used to launch terrorist attacks on other countries".

NEW DELHI: A miffed Pakistan has accused the US of "speaking India's language" and of "dual standards" on the issue of Kashmir, reported Pakistani media.

Pakistan's comments come after two developments over Monday and Tuesday put it in an embarrassing spotlight.

On Monday, the US state department named the Pakistan-backed Hizbul Mujahideen Kashmiri separatist Syed Salahuddin a 'Specially Designated Global Terrorist' . And an Indo-US joint statement - released after leaders Narendra Modi and Donald Trump met on Tuesday - sternly urged Islamabad "to ensure that its territory is not used to launch terrorist attacks on other countries".

"It seems as though the blood of Kashmiris in not at all important to the US, and international laws relating to human rights do not apply to Kashmir," said Pakistan's interior minister Chaudhry Nisar on Tuesday, according to Dawn.

Nisar said the US's actions "mock" justice .

"Ignoring the worst form of state terrorism does not only mock justice and international norms, but also exposes the dual standards of those upholding human and democratic rights," Nisar added, reported The Express Tribune.

Pakistan, Nisar said, "would not compromise on the rights of Kashmiris" and will continue to support the Kashmiris' "cause"

Earlier, Pakistan also slammed as "completely unjustified" the US naming Hizbul Mujahideen chief Salahuddin a "global terrorist".

"The designation of individuals supporting the Kashmiri right to self-determination as terrorists is completely unjustified," a ministry spokesperson said in a statement without naming Salahuddin.

Both the Indo-US joint statement and the US action on Salahuddin are being seen as a major diplomatic victory for India which has long accused Pakistan of backing terror in India and more specifically, in Kashmir.

The joint statement issued by the US after the first meeting between Modi and Trump contained some strong words for Pakistan.

"The leaders called on Pakistan to ensure that its territory is not used to launch terrorist attacks on other countries. They further called on Pakistan to expeditiously bring to justice the perpetrators of the 26/11 Mumbai, Pathankot, and other cross-border terrorist attacks perpetrated by Pakistan-based groups," the statement said.

Pakistan's foreign office was unhappy at being named in the statement.

"Pakistan has demonstrated a longstanding commitment of combating terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. The people and government of Pakistan have rendered immense sacrifices in both blood and treasure to end this scourge, which has been acknowledged by the international community," Pakistan's foreign office said.

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