Islamabad: Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has strongly rejected remarks made by Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, describing them as provocative and irresponsible. He said India is the biggest sponsor of terrorism in South Asia and the principal source of instability in the region.
Responding to the Indian minister’s statement, Khawaja Asif said such remarks represent an ongoing attempt to distort internationally recognized legal realities through political rhetoric and coercive tactics. He added that these statements cannot alter the internationally disputed status of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) or contribute to regional peace, stability, or meaningful dialogue.
He reiterated that Jammu and Kashmir remains an internationally recognized dispute, whose final settlement should be determined in accordance with the relevant United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions and the freely expressed will of the Kashmiri people.
The defence minister further stated that India's repeated attempts to malign Pakistan lack credibility in light of what he described as India's own record of state-sponsored terrorism and other unlawful activities. He accused India of pursuing aggressive and expansionist policies that have held the region hostage.
Khawaja Asif warned that India's inflammatory rhetoric is increasing the risk of inter-state tensions. He emphasized that while Pakistan remains committed to peace and dialogue, its resolve to defend its sovereignty, territorial integrity, and national security is firm and unwavering.
He also said the Indian defence minister’s remarks are an attempt to divert attention from India's internal political challenges, growing public dissatisfaction, and criticism of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s policies.
