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Pulwama terror attack: Top 10 diplomatic developments 

WION Web Team
New Delhi, Delhi, IndiaWritten By: Sidhant SibalUpdated: Feb 16, 2019, 10:13 PM IST
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Pulwama attack (Courtesy: Reuters, ANI) Photograph:(Others)

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New Delhi on Saturday decided to give a dossier to FATF to expose Pakistan's links with terrorism and seeking its blacklisting. India also raised customs duty on all Pak imports to 200 per cent with immediate effect.

India’s diplomatic campaign continued for the second day on Saturday over Pulwama terror attack. Here's taking a quick look at some of the major diplomatic developments so far. 

1. India briefed envoys of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Central Asia, ASEAN, Africa and non-permanent members of United Nations Security Council (UNSC). New Delhi briefed 25 envoys on Friday. 

2. Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale told envoys that Pakistan has been using terrorism as an instrument of its state policy. One envoy on the condition of anonymity told WION, "this time it is much more than statements".

3. Indian High Commissioner to Pakistan, Ajay Bisaria, was at the MEA for over an hour and said, "I don't know for how many days but I am here for a while".

4. Pak foreign office tweeted, "Kashmiri students being systemically targeted in India". Top government sources slammed Islamabad, told WION, "Pakistan appears to be floundering. Their statements, evidenced by this last one, appear to be getting more ridiculous by the hour". Till now, neither PM Imran Khan nor FM Shah Mehmood Qureshi has condemned the attack.

5. US NSA John Bolton said Pakistan must crack down on JeM and all terrorists operating from its territory. Bolton called NSA Doval and supported India's right to self-defence against cross-border terrorism. Washington offered all "assistance to India to bring the perpetrators and backers of the attack promptly to justice," MEA noted.

6. Financial Action Task Force (FATF) meeting to take place from February 17 to 22. Pakistan was greylisted last year due to inaction on terror front. India to raise the issue of terror emanating from Pakistan. 

New Delhi also decided to give a dossier to FATF to expose the neighbouring country's links with terrorism and seeking its blacklisting. 

7. Special declaration on Pulwama attacks expected by President of Argentina Mauricio Macri during his India visit starting Sunday.

8. India raised customs duty on all goods imported from Pakistan to 200 per cent with immediate effect on Saturday. The move came a day after India scrapped MFN (Most Favoured Nation) status to Pakistan.

9. Iran came hard on Pakistan after a terror attack on Wednesday killed 27 Revolutionary Guard in south-eastern Sistan-Baluchistan province. "If Pakistan does not carry out its responsibilities, Iran reserves the right to confront threats on its borders", Revolutionary Guards commander Major General Mohammad Ali Jafari was quoted by the state media.

Around 50 countries have condemned the terror attacks so far, including US, Germany, Russia, France, China, EU, Australia, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Bhutan, Maldives, Bangladesh, Mauritius, Iran, among other nations. 

10. Saudi Crown prince postponed his Pakistan visit by a day. Will be in the country from February 17 to 18. Was initially supposed to be in the country from February 16 to 17. 

author

Sidhant Sibal

Sidhant Sibal is the principal diplomatic correspondent for WION. When he is not working, you will find him playing with his dog.