Indian High Commissioner Bisaria meets Imran, raises terror & cross-border infiltration issues

The Indian High Commissioner in Islamabad Ajay Bisaria on Friday met Pakistan's pm-elect Imran Khan, in a meeting that lasted 30 minutes and saw a candid exchange of views. India raised the issue of terror, something that has been a cause of concern for not only for India but for the entire region.

In a press release, the Indian high commission in Pakistan said, "The Indian High Commissioner briefed the PTI leadership on India’s concerns about terrorism and cross-border infiltration."

This is also in line with India's long-standing policy of "talks and terror can't go together". The Indian government has consistently raised the issue of cross-border terrorism with Islamabad and has many times called upon Pakistan to not allow its territory to support or aid terror in any manner.

Also Read: Imran Khan to take oath as Prime Minister on August 18th, says PTI

The High Commissioner congratulated Imran Khan on his electoral success and discussed a range of issues focusing on "prospects of the India-Pakistan relationship".

Pakistan has been facing flak since the country has been not only supporting terror but allowing its territory to be used by internationally designated terrorist entities and individuals such as Jamaat-ud Dawa (JuD), Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), Jaish-e-Mohammed, Hizbul Mujahideen.

Ahead of the recently concluded elections, the country saw 26/11 mastermind Hafiz Saeed putting his candidates including son and son-in-law to fight elections which many called as active mainstreaming of terror. 

The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) at its plenary in June 2018 had put Pakistan on the ‘grey list’ due to continuing terror financing related concerns, including with respect to the UN proscribed terrorist entities like LeT, JuD and Falah-i-Insaniyat. 

The Indian High Commissioner also gifted Imran Khan a bat autographed by the entire Indian cricket team.

Meanwhile, in a separate press release, Pakistan Tehreek e Insaf (PTI) media department said, "Chairman PTI welcomed the positive message conveyed by the Indian High Commissioner on behalf of his government and reiterated his hope for both countries to move forward for the betterment of the people of the subcontinent."

PM Modi had spoken to Imran Khan after his election victory. According to an MEA release, PM Modi congratulated him for his party emerging as the largest political party in the National Assembly of Pakistan and reiterated his "vision of peace and development in the entire neighbourhood."