L-R: Luxembourg Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, Minister of Immigration and Asylum Jean Asselborn; Minister of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan Shah Mahmood Qureshi;
Credit: MAEE
On 7 March 2019, Luxembourg Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Jean Asselborn addressed the matter of India-Pakistan relations during his working visit to Pakistan.
On this occasion, Foreign Minister Jean Asselborn, who is also the Luxembourg Minister of Immigration and Asylum, met with Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan and Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi for a bilateral interview and a working lunch. This was the first meeting with Pakistan's Foreign Minister since his appointment as Foreign Minister in August 2018 following the 25 July legislative elections. It was also the first visit of a Luxembourg minister to Pakistan.
Jean Asselborn's discussions with his Pakistani counterpart allowed for an in-depth look at the regional situation, particularly relations between India and Pakistan. The talks focused on recent tensions in Kashmir following the suicide bombing of 14 February by the terrorist group Jaish-e-Mohammed, which left more than 40 dead among Indian security forces. Minister Asselborn recalled that the attack was universally condemned and he encouraged the Pakistani authorities to become more involved in the fight against terrorist groups operating from their territory.
While acknowledging that there are many obstacles to overcome to bring India and Pakistan closer together, the two ministers expressed confidence that both sides will find a diplomatic solution. Minister Asselborn praised the Pakistani Prime Minister's decision to release the Indian pilot whose plane was shot down over Kashmir on 27 February, adding that "[t]he de-escalation of tensions is paramount and dialogue and reason must prevail".
The two ministers also discussed the peace process in Afghanistan and the situation of some two million Afghan refugees in Pakistan, as well as the growing number of Pakistani asylum seekers who are returning to Europe. Jean Asselborn emphasised Luxembourg's support for the programmes of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) devoted to Afghan refugees in Pakistan.
In addition, Ministers Jean Asselborn and Shah Mahmood Qureshi discussed the situation of religious minorities in Pakistan and relations between the EU and Pakistan in the light of the strategic engagement plan to be signed soon. The foreign ministers similarly had the opportunity to discuss ways to strengthen bilateral relations between Pakistan and Luxembourg, particularly in economic terms. Potential areas of cooperation included green finance, renewable energies, information and communication technologies and health services.
The same day, Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan received Minister Asselborn in Islamabad. The Prime Minister outlined his government's priorities, focusing on fighting corruption, creating jobs and reviving Pakistan's economy. They also discussed recent India-Pakistan tensions with Imran Khan confirming his intention to work towards the resumption of contacts between the two countries so that they can devote all their energies to peace, the fight against poverty and the strengthening of economic and trade relations in the subcontinent.
