Islamabad: Defence Minister Khawaja Asif expressed strong objections to inclusion of Pakistan in joint statement issued after significant meeting between US President Joe Biden and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Statement highlighted shared demand of both leaders for Islamabad to take decisive actions to ensure that Pakistani soil is not utilised as launchpad for terrorist activities.

Speaking in National Assembly, he turning to relations with United States said Pakistan today is paying heavy price for serving as frontline state in two Afghan wars.

He recalled that it was Narendra Modi who oversaw killings of thousands of Muslims and rape of Muslim women in Gujarat during his tenure as Chief Minister and in recognition of those atrocities, US, at that time had imposed ban on issuing visa to Narendra Modi.

Defence Minister said Indian Prime Minister continues to target minorities especially Muslims. There is an undeclared curfew in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir and people there are living under restrictions of all sorts in blatant violation of human rights.

He said Indian government is perpetrating state terrorism in illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir.

He said terrorism entered Pakistan because it acted as an ally of United States in war on terrorism. He regretted that sacrifices of Pakistan were not acknowledged.

He said elections are due in country. He said whosoever forms next government, it should pursue stable relations with United States and neighbouring countries. He stressed that Pakistan should leverage on its geographical location.