India has issued a strong response to Pakistan’s criticism of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent remarks on Jammu and Kashmir during a podcast interview. The MEA rejected Islamabad’s comments and said Pakistan should vacate the Indian territories it has illegally occupied.
India on Tuesday issued a strong response to Pakistan’s criticism of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s comments on Jammu and Kashmir, which he made during a recent interview with American podcaster Lex Fridman. In the interview, aired on Sunday, Modi spoke about the repeated failure of peace efforts with Pakistan, stating that “every noble attempt at fostering peace was met with hostility and betrayal” and expressing hope that “wisdom prevails upon the leadership in Islamabad to choose the path of peace.”.
In reaction, Pakistan’s Foreign Office issued a statement, calling Modi’s remarks “misleading and one-sided”, and accused India of ignoring the Kashmir dispute and violating international commitments. “The remarks conveniently omit the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, which remains unresolved for the last seven decades,” said the Pakistani statement. It also alleged Indian involvement in “state-sanctioned oppression” in Kashmir, as well as terror activities and targeted assassinations in foreign territories. Pakistan claimed it has always advocated constructive engagement and dialogue, blaming India’s “rigid approach and hegemonic ambitions” for the lack of progress.
Reacting to Pakistan Foreign Office’s remarks, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said the focus should instead be on ending terrorism and vacating Indian territory under illegal occupation. “We note that Pakistan has once again made some comments about the Indian Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir,” said MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, responding to media queries. “But the world is well aware that the real issue is Pakistan’s active promotion and sponsorship of cross-border terrorism. That remains the biggest roadblock to peace and security in the region,” he said. “Instead of spreading lies, Pakistan should vacate Indian territory under its illegal and forcible occupation,” Jaiswal added.
Tensions between the two countries have remained high since India abrogated Article 370 in August 2019, revoking Jammu and Kashmir’s special status and reorganising it into two Union Territories. Trade and diplomatic ties between the neighbours have largely remained frozen since then.
(With inputs from PTI)
