India says Pakistan 'insecure' over growing ties with Afghanistan

India on Tuesday hit back at Pakistan over its remarks on New Delhi's engagement with Afghanistan, saying the comments reflected Islamabad's "insecurity and frustration" over the growing ties between the two countries.

"The comments made by the spokesperson of Pakistan reflect the Pakistani state's insecurity and frustration over the positive trajectory of India-Afghanistan ties," Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said at a media briefing.

On Bangladesh's concerns over former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's proposed virtual address at an event in New Delhi on Wednesday, the government distanced itself from the programme, saying it was being organised by a private entity.


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"The interaction you refer to is being organised by a private media entity. The government has no involvement whatsoever in it. Neither does it endorse any views that may be expressed at the forum," Jaiswal said.

The remarks came after Bangladesh raised concerns that Hasina's proposed address at an event hosted by the Foreign Correspondents' Club of South Asia could adversely affect the recent improvement in bilateral ties. The issue also figured during a meeting between Bangladesh's Foreign Affairs Adviser Humayun Kabir and India's newly appointed High Commissioner to Dhaka, Dinesh Trivedi, on Monday.

On the upcoming BRICS Summit, Jaiswal said India was making preparations and had extended invitations to participating countries.

"We are making preparations and have extended invitations. We will provide updates on developments in this regard," he said.

Jaiswal also said India had extended a formal invitation to Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman for a bilateral visit after he assumed office in February this year. Separately, Rahman has been invited to attend the outreach session of the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi in his capacity as the current Chair of BIMSTEC.

"The invitation has been extended as per the standard practice being followed in BRICS for the outreach sessions. Other heads of regional groups have also been invited in a similar manner," Jaiswal said.

The 18th BRICS Summit is scheduled to be held in New Delhi on September 12 and 13.

Responding to a question on the Indus Waters Treaty, Jaiswal reiterated India's position that the agreement would remain suspended until Pakistan takes credible action against cross-border terrorism.

"The treaty is in abeyance and will remain so until Pakistan irrevocably and credibly abjures its support for cross-border terrorism," he said.