NEW DELHI: Former minister of state for external affairs MJ Akbar, part of the all-party delegation led by BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad, strongly criticised Pakistan during an address to the Indian diaspora in Copenhagen on Saturday.
Calling Pakistan a "double-faced" nation, Akbar questioned, “Which face do we talk to?” He described Pakistan’s government as having a "forked tongue" and said its approach to dialogue is nothing but a “bluff.”
Speaking at the event, Akbar declared, "Even well-meaning friends will ask you, why don't you talk to Pakistan? Tell them Pakistan has a government with a double face, which face do we talk to? Pakistan has a government with a forked tongue; whose tongue do we address?"
"Pakistan talks with a poisoned tongue that gets hurt when a tongue is poisoned. The talks are nothing but a bluff. We now have a leader who has actually called the bluff, Narendra Modi... Nobody has made as much effort to bring a nation with a genetic disorder to its senses," he added.
The delegation led by Ravi Shankar Prasad, includes BJP MP Daggubati Purandeswari, Samik Bhattacharya, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi, Congress MPs Ghulam Ali Khatana and Amar Singh, former Union Minister MJ Akbar, and Ambassador Pankaj Saran.
Akbar further referred to the recent Pahalgam terror attack and drew comparisons with instances of communal terrorism in Europe.
"The recent Pahalgam terror attack was a brutal form, barbaric form of communal terrorism of the kind that Europe had also witnessed...The remarks that they made were enough to show that the mission that the delegation Prime Minister has sent is having an impact," Akbar noted.
'Pakistani abroad often use Indian names to hide identity'
Further, addressing the Indian diaspora, BJP MP Samik Bhattacharya said the delegation’s main goal was to raise global awareness about terrorism. He also pointed out that many Pakistani businesses abroad often avoid revealing their Pakistani identity.
"We are not seeking help from anyone with folded hands. We are going everywhere in the world - and we have only one objective: to alert them that what is happening with us is bound to happen with them. Hence, this terrorism must be uprooted. Every Pakistani knows what they are; they can't even open a shop in the name of Pakistan outside their country, they use Indian names, Bhattacharya said.
'IMF must see how its loans to Pakistan are being used'
Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi emphasised Indian unity against Pakistan, referencing her party's historical stance.
She said, "I am from the same Shiv Sena that dug up the cricket pitch to not allow Pakistan to play a cricket match in India and with the same commitment, I'm part of the joint delegation that has come from all political parties to say that as Indians we stand one and nobody can divide us."
Chaturvedi additionally questioned the IMF's decision to provide financial aid to Pakistan, suggesting the funds were misdirected to Pakistani disruptors outside the venue. "As we were coming here, we saw some flags, and you all would know what those flags are. And I thought to myself, the IMF loan is coming in handy, and I hope those who are giving them the IMF loan realise what it's being used for," she added.
During the event, Manish Prabhat, India's Ambassador to Denmark, addressed anti-India protests by a small group outside the venue where the Indian parliamentary delegation was present. Criticising the protesters, Prabhat said, "This community is unlike the community, a representation of which you saw outside on the street. And we know that how much amount they have been paid to put their duty here."
He commended the Indian diaspora in Denmark for their constructive contributions and successful cultural assimilation.
'Opium was trafficked from Pakistan into Punjab'
Congress MP Amar Singh expressed apprehension regarding Pakistan's role in cross-border terrorism and drug trafficking activities. He called for unity amongst Indians when dealing with such external challenges.
"In Punjab, especially after 1971, what happened was that opium was used to be sent from Pakistan. Punjab is the centre in North India for transporting drugs to Delhi and other parts of India. And I'm an eyewitness to those things. As a child, as a school student, then college student, and now for the last eight to ten years, again, as an eyewitness, that drugs and weapons are coming through drones," he said.
He noted the recent recovery of numerous drones carrying narcotics and weapons in Punjab's border villages. Discussing previous terror incidents, he stated "When we know the reality that our neighbouring country, Pakistan, is doing this thing, how can we be quiet on this issue? And this issue has to be shared, and we all want to share with the international community that the issue of terrorism is now very serious. And in India, you will all remember Mumbai and then Pulwama, Uri, Pathankot and now Pahalgam. We all have to be united, oppose it. Terrorism is bad. Drugs are bad, weapons are bad, it damages the society."
'Pakistan has to be called out for atrocities'
Earlier on Friday, former Danish Ambassador to India Freddy Svane praised the delegation's efforts to raise global awareness about terrorism. He supported their initiative to communicate the importance of unified action against terror.
Svane backed India's position regarding Pakistan, emphasising the necessity for joint action against terrorism, stating "Pakistan has to be called out for atrocities." Speaking to ANI, Svane said, "We have this all-party delegation visiting Denmark is just really securing that we not only are listening but we also talk and we have a dialogue, and now it's time for us to stand shoulder to shoulder to take action."
The Indian delegation in Copenhagen during the visit engaged with several former Danish MPs, including Freddy Svane (former Danish ambassador to India), Manu Sareen, Helle Degn (vice president of the Mandela Center), and Niels Ahlmann-Ohlsen (now CEO of Strategic Alliance International ApS). The discussions aimed to boost bilateral relations and promote mutual cooperation.
During their visit, the delegation also met with Christian Friis Bach, Chairperson of the Danish Parliament's Foreign Policy Committee, and Danish MP Trine Pertou Mach. The group also attended a luncheon interaction hosted by the Indian Ambassador, where they exchanged ideas with former Danish parliamentarians.