ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) has issued a strong statement in response to recent remarks made by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the External Affairs Minister, and other cabinet members. The MOFA criticized these statements as attempts to exploit hyper-nationalism for electoral gains amidst the ongoing Lok Sabha election campaign.
“We are witnessing an alarming surge in anti-Pakistan rhetoric from various Indian leaders. We outrightly reject these irresponsible statements, which cover a wide array of topics including the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, counter-terrorism efforts, state of bilateral relations, and nuclear capabilities,” the statement issued on Tuesday read.
MOFA highlighted that these statements reflect an unhealthy obsession with Pakistan and reveal a deliberate intent to exploit hyper-nationalism for electoral gains. This tactic also signifies a desperate attempt to deflect attention from mounting domestic and international criticism.
“The bravado and jingoism exhibited by Indian leaders expose a reckless and extremist mindset. This mindset calls into question India’s capacity to be a responsible steward of its strategic capability. On the other hand, Pakistan’s strategic capability is aimed at safeguarding its sovereignty and defending its territorial integrity. Pakistan has demonstrated its resolve to defend itself in the past and would not hesitate to do so in the future should the Indian side choose to embark on a misadventure,” the statement emphasized.
MOFA also referenced recent revelations of India’s campaign of extrajudicial and transnational assassinations on Pakistani soil, noting that India’s continuous emphasis on its readiness to take aggressive actions within Pakistan constitutes a tacit admission of guilt.
Addressing the inflammatory rhetoric about Azad Jammu and Kashmir, MOFA reiterated that historical facts, legal principles, moral considerations, and ground realities refute India’s baseless claims. Jammu and Kashmir remain an internationally-recognized disputed territory and relevant UN Security Council resolutions clearly mandate a plebiscite under UN auspices for its final determination. No amount of inflated Indian statements can change this reality. India should focus on implementing these resolutions instead of indulging in fantasies of grandeur.
“We urge Indian politicians to cease dragging Pakistan into their domestic politics for electoral gains and to handle sensitive strategic matters with the utmost caution. We call upon the international community to take note of Indian leadership’s belligerent rhetoric, which poses a grave threat to regional peace and stability,” the MOFA spokesperson stated.
The vision of peace, progress, and prosperity in South Asia can only be realized through the peaceful resolution of all outstanding disputes, including Jammu and Kashmir, and a shift from confrontation to cooperation.
