Pakistan has vehemently condemned recent antagonistic statements emanating from the Indian leadership, including remarks made in Bihar, characterizing them as indicative of a profoundly “troubling mindset” that prioritizes animosity over the pursuit of peace. “Indian leadership’s recent remarks including those made in Bihar reflect a deeply troubling mindset that prioritizes hostility over peace,” stated Foreign Office Spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan in response to media inquiries.
He asserted that any endeavor to portray Pakistan as the root cause of regional instability is detached from reality. Khan emphasized that the international community is well-informed of India’s history of aggressive conduct, which encompasses documented support for terrorist activities within Pakistan. These verifiable facts, he added, cannot be obscured by superficial narratives or diversionary tactics.
Addressing a rally in Bihar on Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi issued a veiled threat to Pakistan, declaring that “Operation Sindoor” was merely “an arrow” in India’s “quiver” and stressing that the war on terror is neither concluded nor halted. Randhir Jaiswal, the spokesperson for the Indian Ministry of External Affairs, last week accused Pakistan of perpetrating terrorism within India. In response to a query during a weekly press briefing, the Indian spokesperson reiterated PM Modi’s stance that terrorism and dialogue cannot coexist.
Jaiswal also dismissed the prospect of negotiations on resolving the Kashmir conflict between the neighboring nations, stating: “I would like to underline that any bilateral discussion on Jammu and Kashmir will only be on the vacation” of the disputed territory by Pakistan. Conversely, the Pakistani spokesperson affirmed that the Kashmir dispute remains the central issue imperiling peace and stability in the region. He stated that Pakistan remains steadfast in its advocacy for a just and lasting resolution to the Kashmir conflict, consistent with relevant UN Security Council resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people.
He added, “To sidestep this fundamental issue is to condemn the region to continued mistrust and potential confrontation.” Shafqat underscored that recent developments have once again highlighted the utter futility of jingoism and coercion. India, he asserted, cannot and will not achieve its objectives through threats, misrepresentation, or force. The FO spokesperson affirmed Pakistan’s commitment to peace and constructive engagement, while simultaneously expressing its unwavering resolve to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity against any aggression.
He concluded that durable peace in South Asia necessitates maturity, restraint, and a willingness to address the fundamental causes of conflict, rather than pursuing narrow political gains at the expense of regional harmony. Earlier, from May 6 to 10, the armed forces of Pakistan and India engaged in hostilities. This conflict was ignited by New Delhi following an attack in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam on April 22, where gunmen tragically killed 26 civilians. India labeled this an act of terrorism orchestrated by Pakistan, a claim vehemently denied by leaders in Islamabad.
