The recently sworn-in PM also alleges that India is using aggression along the Line of Control to divert attention from the turmoil in Kashmir
Pakistan Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi has said that while his government has no problem with India extending economic assistance to Afghanistan, it will “not accept a political or military role” of the country in their mutual neighbour.
Abbasi’s comments, made during an interaction organised by American think-tank Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) in New York, come at a time when the United States government under President Donald Trump is shunning its old alliance with Pakistan and decisively allying with India in its attempt to restore economic growth in Afghanistan.
The recently sworn-in Prime Minister is in New York to attend a session of the United Nations General Assembly where India’s Minister for External Affairs, Sushma Swaraj had, a few days earlier, hit out Pakistan for supporting terror outfits and condoning North Korea’s controversial nuclear program.
Asked at the CFR interaction to comment on the Trump administration’s recently unveiled Afghan policy, under which the US President has sought more help from New Delhi to bring peace and stability in the war-torn country, Abbasi said Pakistan sees zero political or military role for India in Afghanistan.
“We don’t foresee any political or military role for India in Afghanistan. I think it will just complicate the situation and it will not resolve anything. So, if they want to do economic assistance that’s their prerogative, but we don’t accept or see any role politically or militarily for India in Afghanistan,” Abbasi said.
Abbasi added that India, like all other countries, has “the right to trade” with Afghanistan and had done so in the past too, but insisted that the two countries must restrict their exchange purely to economic activities and not indulge in military cooperation.
The Pakistan PM also reiterated his country’s demand for granting Kashmiris the “right to self determination” while alleging that people in the northernmost Indian state had “risen against the Indian occupation”.
Insisting that the dispute over Kashmir between India and Pakistan and the latter’s demand to settle it through a right of self determination that should be granted to the Kashmiris as per resolutions passed by the United Nations Security Council, Abbasi said: “There is Indian aggression along the Line of Control, mostly to draw attention away from the genuine struggle of the Kashmiri people, who have today risen against the Indian occupation there. And we fully support the right of self-determination… And that issue should be resolved as per the UN Security Council resolutions.”
The Pakistan PM alleged that “Indian occupation forces there (in Kashmir) have committed atrocities which are really beyond belief” and that his country expects the world community to take notice of those atrocities.
Asked how his country plans to take forward discussions with the Indian government given the ongoing diplomatic standoff between the two nations, Abbasi said “that certain core issues have to be addressed and Kashmir is one of the core issues”.
In a comment that can at best be viewed as a war-mongering effort, Abbasi said his country has developed short-range nuclear weapons to counter the ‘cold start doctrine’ adopted by the Indian Army. “We have a very robust and secure command-and-control system over our strategic nuclear assets. Time has proved that it’s a process that is very secure. It’s a process that has complete civilian oversight through the NCA,” he said.
Making tall claims of having destroyed terrorism and terror networks in Pakistan at a time when Pak-based terror outfits like Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba have been called out by international forums like BRICS and the UN, Abbasi said: “This perception that there are (terrorist) sanctuaries (in Pakistan) is absolutely not correct. We have defeated the enemy on our own territory. We have destroyed the sanctuaries”.
Responding to another question about Pakistan’s spy agency ISI having terror links, the prime minister dismissed any links between the Haqqani network and Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). “We do not condone any activities by any organisation to pose a terrorist threat within Pakistan or to export it to other countries,” Abbasi said.
Asked about the presence of a number of terror groups and terrorists like Hafeez Saeed in Pakistan, Abbasi said he (Hafiz Saeed) belonged to a “proscribed organisation”. He went on to say: “We have taken action against him. He is in house arrest. In the recent by-election, a candidate did use his picture in an election poster, which is illegal to do, and action will be taken against him by the election commission.”
Trump says Iran agrees to never have nuclear weapons, rejects $300 billion fund claim
Donald Trump said Iran has agreed to never possess nuclear weapons under a proposed framework, while dismissing reports that the US would provide Tehran with a $300 billion reconstruction fund.
US President Donald Trump has said that Iran has agreed to a commitment that it will never develop or possess nuclear weapons, describing it as a central element of a proposed understanding between Washington and Tehran.
Speaking about the ongoing diplomatic efforts, Trump also rejected reports suggesting that the United States planned to provide Iran with a reconstruction or investment package worth $300 billion. He described such claims as false and said no such arrangement had been agreed.
The remarks come as discussions continue over a broader framework aimed at easing tensions between the two countries. According to Trump, the understanding would ensure that Iran remains without nuclear weapons while opening the door for future engagement if the terms are respected.
Questions remain over final agreement details
Despite Trump’s comments, several aspects of the proposed arrangement remain unclear because the full text of the agreement has not yet been made public.
Reports indicate that negotiations have involved discussions on sanctions relief, access to frozen assets and potential economic measures linked to Iran’s compliance with future commitments. However, the exact scope of these provisions has not been officially confirmed.
Another key issue is how compliance would be monitored. Details regarding inspections, verification mechanisms and the handling of Iran’s existing nuclear materials have yet to be fully explained.
Further negotiations expected
Officials have suggested that discussions on technical nuclear matters could continue even after the signing of an initial memorandum of understanding. Such talks would likely focus on implementation and verification measures.
The proposed framework is being closely watched internationally, as any agreement between the United States and Iran could have significant implications for regional stability and global non-proliferation efforts.
For now, Trump has maintained that the core objective remains clear: ensuring that Iran never acquires a nuclear weapon while denying reports that Washington has committed to a multibillion-dollar reconstruction fund.
The United States kicked off their FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign in impressive fashion, securing a commanding 4-1 victory over Paraguay in their Group D opener at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles.
Playing in front of a passionate home crowd, the hosts delivered an attacking display to collect all three points and make an early statement in the tournament. The match also marked a significant occasion as the USA hosted part of the World Cup opening festivities before turning attention to the action on the pitch.
The Americans took control early and maintained pressure on Paraguay throughout the contest. Their attacking movement and clinical finishing helped them establish a comfortable lead, while Paraguay struggled to contain the hosts’ pace and creativity in the final third.
USA seize control after fast start
The United States settled quickly and found success going forward, creating several opportunities through quick passing and aggressive pressing. Their attacking approach paid off as they built momentum and gradually stretched Paraguay’s defence.
Paraguay attempted to respond and managed to get on the scoresheet, but the South American side found it difficult to match the intensity shown by the hosts. The USA continued to create chances and added further goals to put the result beyond doubt.
With the victory, the United States moved to the top section of Group D and gained an important boost in confidence ahead of their upcoming fixtures in the tournament.
Strong opening result for hosts
A winning start is particularly important in a World Cup campaign, and the USA achieved exactly that with a comprehensive performance. The result gives the hosts valuable momentum as they prepare for the next stage of group play.
For Paraguay, the defeat means they will need a strong response in their remaining group matches to keep their hopes of progressing to the knockout rounds alive.
The FIFA World Cup 2026 is being jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, with the tournament featuring an expanded format and more participating teams than previous editions.
Jaishankar raises deaths of three Indian sailors with Marco Rubio, lodges strong protest
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar conveyed India’s strong protest to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio over an attack that killed three Indian sailors, stressing that lethal action against commercial shipping is unjustified.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Saturday spoke with Marco Rubio and conveyed India’s strong protest over recent attacks on commercial vessels in the Gulf that resulted in the deaths of three Indian sailors.
According to reports, Jaishankar told Rubio that the use of lethal force against commercial shipping was not justified and underlined India’s serious concerns regarding the safety of civilian seafarers operating in the region. The conversation came days after three Indian mariners were killed in an attack on the Palau-flagged tanker Settebello near the Oman coast.
The incident has triggered diplomatic engagement between New Delhi and Washington. India had earlier summoned a senior US diplomat to register its concerns and seek accountability following the attack. The Ministry of External Affairs has emphasized that actions endangering civilian shipping undermine maritime safety and stability in a strategically important region.
India reiterates concern over maritime safety
India has stressed the importance of protecting civilian seafarers and ensuring the security of international maritime commerce. Officials have expressed concern over multiple incidents involving Indian crew members in West Asian waters in recent days.
The deaths of the three sailors have also sparked calls within India for stronger diplomatic efforts to safeguard Indian nationals working aboard commercial vessels in conflict-affected maritime zones.
Background of the incident
The attack involved the tanker Settebello, which was operating near Oman when it was struck during ongoing tensions linked to the conflict involving Iran and maritime operations in the Gulf region. Initial reports indicated that Indian crew members were among those affected, and later confirmations established that three Indian sailors had died in the incident.
India has maintained that civilian shipping should not become a target and has continued diplomatic outreach to ensure the safety and welfare of Indian seafarers working across global shipping routes.
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