New Delhi:
In a strong and swift response, India has vehemently denied two recent reports by the Washington Post that alleged the country’s involvement in a plot to impeach Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu and in targeted killings in Pakistan. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal, was at the forefront of India’s rebuttal, accusing the newspaper and the reporter of harboring a “compulsive hostility” towards India.
Denial of Maldives Impeachment Plot
India has categorically dismissed the Washington Post’s report suggesting that New Delhi was involved in a failed plot to impeach President Muizzu of the Maldives. The report claimed that opposition politicians in the Maldives had proposed bribing 40 members of Parliament, including those from Muizzu’s own party, to vote for his impeachment. However, the plan allegedly failed due to insufficient votes. This claim was based on a document titled “Democratic Renewal Initiative,” which India has labeled as baseless and driven by anti-India bias.
Criticism of Washington Post’s Credibility
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal was scathing in his criticism of the reports, stating that both the newspaper and the reporter demonstrate a clear pattern of hostility towards India. “You can see a pattern in their activities. I leave you to judge their credibility. As far as we are concerned, they have none,” Jaiswal emphasized. This sharp response underscores India’s firm stance against what it perceives as biased and unfounded reporting.
Allegations of Targeted Killings in Pakistan
The Washington Post also alleged that India’s intelligence agency, the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), has been conducting a program since 2021 to kill members of terrorist organizations operating in Pakistan, including groups like Lashkar-e-Toiba and Jaish-e-Muhammad. Citing unnamed Pakistani and western officials, the report claimed that at least six individuals connected to these groups had been targeted. Jaiswal countered these allegations by referencing a 2011 statement by former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who criticized Pakistan for harboring terrorist groups. Clinton’s words, “You cannot keep snakes in your backyard and expect them only to bite your neighbors,” were invoked to highlight Pakistan’s role in fostering terrorism.
India’s Stance on Terrorism
India’s response to these allegations has been clear: the country will not be swayed by what it sees as malicious reporting. By referencing Clinton’s statement, India reinforced its stance that Pakistan’s harboring of terrorist groups is a significant issue that needs to be addressed. The MEA’s strong denial of the reports underscores India’s commitment to its foreign policy principles and its rejection of any involvement in the alleged plots.
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