US 'speaking India's language': Pakistan interior minister

Pakistan has accused the US of "speaking India's language", saying it seems the "blood of Kashmiris" is "not at all important" to America, a day after President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi asked Islamabad to rein in cross-border terrorism.

Voicing Pakistan's concern, Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar alleged that the Indian government was committing serious human rights violations in Kashmir and trying to paint "freedom fighters" as terrorists.

Nisar said that India's actions in Kashmir should concern every principled nation, Dawn news reported today.

"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," Nisar said.

Deliberately overlooking "the worst kind of state terrorism" in Kashmir has not only adversely impacted the values of justice and international principles, but also laid bare the double standards of powers who claim to champion human rights and democratic values, the minister said.

Nisar said the Pakistani government would not compromise on the rights of Kashmiris, and that the struggle would continue until Kashmiris receive justice and their rights as defined in United Nations' resolutions.

The nation is united in sending a message of solidarity to Kashmir, and remains firmly committed to providing Kashmir diplomatic, political and moral support, he added.

Yesterday, Pakistan had slammed as "completely unjustified" the US' designation of individuals supporting the right of "self-determination" of Kashmiris as terrorists, a day after America declared Hizbul Mujahideen chief Syed Salahuddin as a "global terrorist".

During Prime Minister Modi's visit to the US, India and the US vowed to strengthen cooperation against terror outfits like Jaish-e-Mohammad, Lashkar-e-Taiba and D-Company, while asking Pakistan to ensure that its soil is not used for terror strikes against other nations.

In a joint statement released after talks between Modi and Trump, the two nations called on Islamabad to "expeditiously bring to justice the perpetrators of the 26/11 Mumbai, Pathankot, and other cross-border terrorist attacks perpetrated by Pakistan-based groups."