Interview of Moeed Yusuf by Indian journalist Karan Thapar

The exclusive interview of Pakistan’s National Security Advisor on Strategic Policy Planning, Mr. Moeed Yusuf by an Indian journalist Mr.Karan Thapar is basically conducted on Pak India relations. PM Imran Khan’s security adviser says Kashmir must be on the agenda for talks in a wide-ranging interview with the Indian journalist. The interview, conducted in a combative tone at times, was the first occasion since August 2019 when India revoked a special status for the portion of Kashmir’s disputed territory that it administers, that a senior Pakistani official had spoken to Indian news media. As might have been expected, the interview was more of an aggressive conversation. The gesture of Mr. Yusuf was very calm and remarkable, while Mr. Thapar was more offensive as expected from Indians on the issue of Kashmir.

Talking points or issues raised by Karan Thapar and the key responses by Moeed Yousuf:

· Mr. Karan asked that why is Pakistan so worked up by the internal constitutional changes in Jammu and Kashmir first of all this is a strictly internal Indian matter it’s of no concern to Pakistan and secondly he compared the Indian constitutional changes of Jammu and Kashmir with the act that has been done in Gilgit Baltistan. He claimed that Pakistan is also attempting to do very similar in Gilgit Baltistan.
In response, Mr. Yusuf clearly said that these two are totally different matters. In addition to this he said that Kashmir is a disputed territory between India and Pakistan and no permanent adjustments can be made unilaterally by India. Mr. Yusuf further said that as people of GB are eager to have full rights as citizens of Pakistan, Gilgit Baltistan has an entirely different scenario and no provincial status has yet been granted to Gilgit Baltistan.
He also gave the solution to this by saying that “the day India recognizes that only the wishes of people of Kashmiris matter, this issue can be resolved”, which means that plebiscite should be done under the charter of U.N.

· Secondly he was concerned about Kulbhushan Jadhav not being provided consular access. For which Mr. Yusuf responded that we’re willing to provide a 3rd consular (since he’s not an average criminal, he’s a spy and we can’t take the risk of any communication between him and his country). But India is not accepting this.

· And his third and last concern was related to Mumbai attacks (2008) and that Pakistan is helping terrorists to do so. Yusuf said that no authentic evidence or witness is provided yet which is the basic requirement for providing justice.

In the end the interview is being summed up by discussing some suggestions for peace in future of India Pak relations. Mr. Yusuf added that he’s saying this on the behalf of his country if India will come one step forward for peace, Pakistan will not hesitate in taking two steps forward. But he clearly mentioned the two conditions for peace viz to make a proper agenda to resolve the issue of Kashmir and secondly to back away from the propaganda of Pakistan in terrorism.