Pakistan denies Modi’s accusations: Islamabad uses ‘terrorism, proxy war’ to maintain presence
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Friday criticised Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “bellicose rhetoric” after he accused the prime minister of using “terrorism” in the eastern neighbourhood to advance Pakistan’s strategic interests.
Modi’s remarks came at an event marking the 25th anniversary of a military clash between the two nuclear-armed nations in the Kargil region of the Himalayas.
The two neighbours have an uneasy relationship, with India accusing Pakistan of using militant groups as proxies to challenge its rule in Kashmir, a Himalayan region that both countries claim in its entirety but control only parts of.
Pakistan has fought three wars with India over Kashmir but denies India’s accusations, saying it only provides diplomatic and moral support to Kashmiris seeking self-determination.
“Pakistan rejects the belligerent remarks made by the Prime Minister of India at Drass in Ladakh region on July 26, 2024,” the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement.
“Blata and chauvinism are detrimental to peace in the region and are totally counterproductive to resolving the long-standing disputes between Pakistan and India, especially the core dispute of Jammu and Kashmir,” it continued.
India’s foreign ministry said such comments by Indian leaders cannot divert international attention from the Indian government’s “heavy-handed approach” to suppress the Kashmiri struggle.
“Instead of vilifying other countries for terrorism, India should look back at its own activities in orchestrating targeted assassinations, sabotage and terrorism on foreign soil,” it added.
The statement also referred to the shooting down of an Indian fighter jet during an aerial incursion in February 2019, and underscored Pakistan’s ability to defend its sovereignty.
The statement noted that Pakistan stands ready to “counter aggressive Indian actions” while remaining committed to promoting peace and stability in the neighbourhood.
“I want to convey to the sponsors of terrorism that their evil designs against your country will never succeed,” Modi had said.
Relations between India and Pakistan have been largely frozen since both countries downgraded diplomatic ties in retaliation after the Indian government abolished Kashmir’s special status and divided the territory into two union territories in August 2019.
Relations between the two countries were further strained after a suicide attack on an Indian military convoy in Kashmir was blamed on Pakistan-based militants and India carried out airstrikes on what it said were militant bases in Pakistan.
Earlier this year, Pakistan said it had credible evidence that Indian agents had killed people on its territory, but India called this “falsehood.”
Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar said last month that India would seek solutions to cross-border terrorism, saying “it cannot be a good neighbour policy.”
From Reuters
