A reference to “threats” in Balochistan in the joint Indo-Pak statement, issued in Egypt today, marks a significant departure from India’s long-held position on the ethnic unrest in Pakistan’s largest state even as Prime Minister Manmohan Singh tried to justify the reference by saying New Delhi has nothing to hide since its policy in the region was “an open book”.

Seasoned diplomats expressed surprise and concern over the inclusion of Balochistan in the statement, the first time that the issue has found a mention in any joint statement issued by the two countries.

“This is an indirect acknowledgement by New Delhi that India has a hand in what is going on in Balochistan,” said Brajesh Mishra, the National Security Advisor and Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister in the NDA government. Mishra went on to denounce the joint statement on another count, on the assertion that action on terrorism should not be linked to the composite dialogue process between the two countries.

“The fact that terrorism will not come in the way of talks is contrary to assurances given by the government to Parliament including the January 6, 2009 statement by the Prime Minister. This is a complete victory of Pakistan’s diplomatic establishment,” he said.

Former Foreign Secretary Lalit Mansingh was equally critical of the Balochistan reference. “Pakistan, perhaps, will be able to score some brownie points on this from its domestic audience. But this is an absolutely absurd theory that India has any involvement in the terror activities in Balochistan,” he said.

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