Islamabad: Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has strongly condemned recent remarks made by his Indian counterpart Rajnath Singh, rejecting the statements as “irresponsible, provocative and misleading.” The Pakistani minister said the comments were part of India’s continuing attempt to distort internationally recognised legal realities regarding the disputed territory of Jammu and Kashmir and to divert attention from its own domestic and regional policies.
In a strongly worded statement, Khawaja Asif said Pakistan categorically rejects the Indian defence minister’s assertions, describing them as politically motivated rhetoric aimed at advancing coercive diplomacy rather than promoting peace or constructive engagement. He argued that such statements cannot alter the internationally recognised status of Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir, nor can they contribute to regional peace, stability or meaningful dialogue between the two nuclear-armed neighbours.
The defence minister reiterated Pakistan’s longstanding position that Jammu and Kashmir remains an internationally recognised disputed territory. He said the final status of the region must be determined in accordance with the relevant resolutions of the United Nations Security Council and the freely expressed wishes of the Kashmiri people. According to Asif, attempts by Indian leaders to portray the issue as settled are inconsistent with international law and longstanding UN commitments.
Responding directly to India’s allegations against Pakistan, Khawaja Asif accused New Delhi of repeatedly attempting to malign Pakistan while ignoring what he described as India’s own record of state-sponsored terrorism and destabilising activities. He claimed that India’s allegations lack credibility in light of what Pakistan considers documented evidence of Indian involvement in activities aimed at undermining peace and security in neighbouring countries.
“India is the largest sponsor of terrorism in South Asia and the principal source of instability in the region,” Asif said, alleging that New Delhi’s aggressive and expansionist ambitions have effectively held the entire region hostage. He argued that instead of pursuing peaceful coexistence, India continues to adopt confrontational policies that increase tensions and complicate prospects for dialogue.
The Pakistani defence minister also expressed concern over what he termed India’s increasingly aggressive rhetoric, warning that such statements raise the risk of interstate confrontation in an already volatile region. He stressed that Pakistan remains committed to peace, dialogue and diplomatic engagement but made it clear that the country is fully prepared to defend its sovereignty, territorial integrity and national security if necessary.
“Pakistan’s commitment to safeguarding its sovereignty and territorial integrity is unwavering and should never be underestimated,” Asif stated. He emphasised that while Islamabad continues to favour peaceful resolution of disputes through negotiations, it will respond firmly to any threat against its national interests.
Khawaja Asif further argued that the recent remarks by Rajnath Singh were intended to divert public attention from India’s internal political challenges. According to the Pakistani minister, the Indian government’s “coercive rhetoric” reflects growing domestic tensions, increasing public dissatisfaction and criticism of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s governance. He alleged that the Indian leadership is attempting to shift the focus away from internal unrest by escalating hostile rhetoric against Pakistan.
The latest exchange of statements comes amid already strained relations between the two neighbouring countries, which have remained at odds over several longstanding issues, particularly the dispute over Jammu and Kashmir. Diplomatic ties between Islamabad and New Delhi have remained limited in recent years, while official dialogue has largely remained suspended.
Pakistan has consistently maintained that a peaceful settlement of the Kashmir dispute is essential for ensuring lasting peace and stability in South Asia. Successive Pakistani governments have called for dialogue based on international law and relevant UN resolutions, while India maintains that Jammu and Kashmir is an internal matter. These contrasting positions continue to define the diplomatic impasse between the two countries.
The exchange also highlights continuing tensions in South Asia, where political statements by senior officials often attract international attention due to the strategic significance of both countries and their nuclear capabilities. Analysts frequently warn that inflammatory rhetoric can further complicate efforts to reduce tensions and revive diplomatic engagement.
Despite the sharp criticism directed at New Delhi, Pakistan reiterated that it remains committed to dialogue and peaceful coexistence. However, officials insist that any meaningful progress requires respect for international law, avoidance of provocative statements and sincere efforts to address outstanding disputes through diplomatic channels.
The latest comments by Khawaja Asif underline Pakistan’s firm rejection of India’s narrative on Kashmir and regional security while reaffirming Islamabad’s stated commitment to defending its national interests alongside its declared preference for peace and negotiations.
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