Baloch leader denies Indian intervention

New Delhi: As Prime Minister Manmohan Singh faces criticism for including Balochistan in the Indo-Pak joint statement, support has poured in from an unusual quarter.

Baloch nationalist leaders have vindicated the PM's stand that India has nothing to hide in Balochistan.

Speaking with CNN-IBN in London, the exiled descendant of the King of Kalat Suleman Khan said India has not intervened in Balochistan.

“Pakistan wants to show world India has intervened. If there is any help from India, we haven’t seen it. If there was any help from India, our situation wouldn't have been like it is,” he said.

Home Minister P Chidambaram had underscored the point in an interview to CNN IBN.

"We have no stakes in Balochistan, why will we when we have other problems at out western borders in Pakistan," he said.

The fact is India has kept out of involvement in Balochistan despite repeated requests from Baloch nationalists.

They want India to support their long running insurgency and help highlight the Balochi struggle against what they call Pakistani occupation.

"Well it’s been kind as far as the biggest democracy of the world is concerned that at least they gave us a mention that something is wrong in the neighbourhood. But other than that if they can play an active role in this, it will be much better,” Khan said.

If Pakistan can exploit domestically the reference to Baluchistan in the joint statement , some Indian diplomats believe Manmohan Singh can now speak with greater credibility on Baluchistan.

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