Speaking at the Navy Midshipmen Graduation Ceremony ,the Prime Minister Shahid Khaqn Abbasi said that Pakistan will not accept Indian hegemony in this region and its desire and efforts for mutual coexistence and peace should not be taken as weakness. He said Pakistan’s defense is impregnable and the country is in safe hands. The Prime Minister said Pakistan was committed to promote friendly ties with the neighboring countries. “Pakistan believes in peaceful co-existence and friendly neighborhood. We don not harbor any aggressive designs. However our desire for peace must not be construed as a sign of weakness and indifference to the developments taking place in the region, “he added.
India has continued a dangerous arms race both in conventional and nuclear arms. Besides inducting the Ashwini Anti- Ballastic missile in Air defense system, a program of nuclearization of the Indian Ocean has also been started. It conducted a test of nuclear capable submarine based K-4 missile last year. Former National Security Advisor, Sartaj Aziz, told Senate on 19th May, 2016 that Pakistan intends to move a resolution in the United General Assembly Session for Nuclear Free Indian Ocean but the move did not materialize. Pakistan also offered India discussion on Anti- Ballistic Missile System with in Composite Dialogue process to ensure a nuclear free zone in the South Asia, but did not receive a favorable response.
Pakistan’s desire for nuclear free South Asia dates back to the decade of 1980s for which the support of other countries of this region was sought for. But its efforts could not succeed because of India’s frantic pursuit for hegemony in this region. India conducted nuclear tests in 1998 which compelled Pakistan to go for counterblasts on 28th May 1998. The United States and other world powers adopted a discriminatory policy by slapping economic sanctions on Pakistan but let the India free. The US-India strategic Partnership has given impetus to the latter’s ambitions for absolute hegemony in the region to bully the smaller states. Former Prime Minster of India, Late Inder Kumar Gujral gave a five point’s road-map in 1997 to build trust between India and its neighbors. It was called “Gujral Doctine” which envisaged solution through bilateral talks and removal of immediate Quid-pro Quo between India and her neighbors. The doctrine emphasized on the importance of unilateral accommodation for friendly and warm relation with India’s neighbors. The present Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi is pursuing a hawkish foreign policy that excludes accommodation, friendly and warm relations with neighboring countries.
