ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi on Thursday was critical of India’s condemnation of the Christchurch shootings as it did not mention Muslims of mosques.

During a news conference, Qureshi lamented New Delhi’s double standards and underplaying of any incident against Muslims.

“I was astonished that the world condemned the Christchurch terrorist attacks. It was also condemned by India but did not mention the mosque of Muslims. Muslims are martyred and two mosques attacked but there is no mention of this. Why?” Qureshi asked.

“You [India] want a seat in the OIC because you have millions of Muslims. But why are you left speechless in mentioning Muslims or mosques? This is their double standards. If there is an incident against Muslims it is underplayed.”

Qureshi also spoke on the National Investigation Court of India’s decision on the Samjotha Express terrorist attack and how it had shaken people.

“All four accused were acquitted. Swami Aseemanand admitted to the crime but even he was released,” he said.

“In Pulwama incident, Pakistan was blamed without any investigation. No one accepted this narrative of India. After speaking to several international players, they [India] were unsuccessful in linking Pakistan to the attack.”

Furthermore, the foreign minister stated, “44 Pakistanis were killed in Samjotha Express attack, the same as in Pulwama. Our point of view on this was not given any importance.”

The foreign minister termed Pakistan-China friendship as “timeless” and said the Pulwama incident last month proved “China has been and will always be an everlasting friend of Pakistan”.

“The crisis resulting [in the aftermath of] the Pulwama attack proved that China is a timeless friend of Pakistan and has always stood by us. India tried but failed to link Pakistan with the Pulwama incident,” the foreign minister said.

Qureshi said he briefed his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi on the situation arising as a result of the Pulwama incident and the Afghan peace process during his recent visit to Beijing where he attended the first ever Pakistan-China Foreign Ministers’ Strategic Dialogue.

He further informed that Prime Minister Imran Khan has been invited by the Chinese leadership to attend the second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, to be held in Beijing on April 25 to 27.

Delegates from more than 100 countries are expected to attend next month’s forum.