ISLAMABAD (Kashmir English): Pakistan has strongly criticised recent comments made by Indian leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s statements at a political gathering in Bihar. The Pakistani Foreign Office described these remarks as showing a “deeply troubling mindset” that encourages hostility instead of working towards peace.
“Indian leadership’s recent remarks including those made in Bihar reflect a deeply troubling mindset that prioritises hostility over peace,” said Foreign Office Spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan while responding to queries from media persons.
He said blaming Pakistan for instability in the region was completely out of touch with reality. Khan also pointed out that the international community is well aware of India’s record of aggressive actions and its documented involvement in terrorist activities inside Pakistan. He said such facts cannot be hidden by “hollow narratives or diversionary tactics”.
During a speech in Bihar last Friday, Prime Minister Modi warned Pakistan by referring to Operation Sindoor as “just an arrow” in India’s “quiver”. He also stressed that the war on terror was far from over and had not stopped.
Meanwhile, Indian Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal echoed the Prime Minister’s view during a recent press briefing, saying that “terrorism and dialogue cannot go hand in hand”. He also ruled out any talks on resolving the Kashmir issue, claiming that “any bilateral discussion on Jammu and Kashmir will only be on the vacation” of the disputed territory by Pakistan.
Responding to these remarks, the Pakistani spokesperson said that the Kashmir issue remains central to peace and stability in the region. He made it clear that Pakistan would continue supporting a fair and lasting solution to the Kashmir conflict based on the UN Security Council resolutions and the wishes of the Kashmiri people.
“To sidestep this fundamental issue is to condemn the region to continued mistrust and potential confrontation,” he warned.
Khan further said that recent developments have shown how pointless aggressive behaviour and threats are. India cannot and will not achieve its objectives through threats, misrepresentation or force, he stated.
He also made it clear that while Pakistan remains open to peace and dialogue, it is fully prepared to protect its sovereignty and territorial integrity if challenged. True and lasting peace in South Asia, he said, requires wisdom, self-control, and a serious effort to deal with the root causes of conflict, rather than chasing short-term political wins at the cost of regional stability.
Tensions between the two countries spiked again after a deadly incident in Pahalgam, located in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, on April 22.
Armed attackers killed 26 civilians, prompting New Delhi to accuse Islamabad of sponsoring the violence. Islamabad denied the charge. Between May 6 and 10, armed clashes broke out between Indian and Pakistani forces following the incident.
