Pakistan rebuffs Modi’s ‘belligerent remarks’

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan said on Friday it would always safeguard its sovereignty and counter India’s aggressive actions, though it believed in promoting peace and stability in the region.

Commenting on Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s confrontational remarks made on July 26, 2024, in Drass, Ladakh, the Foreign Office (FO) said: “Pakistan stands resolute in its intent and ability to safeguard its sovereignty against any aggression, as exemplified by its robust response to India’s reckless incursion in February 2019.”

The FO statement reiterated that while the country is ready to counter India’s aggressive actions, it remains committed to promoting peace and stability in the region.

Bravado and jingoism undermine regional peace and are totally counter-productive for resolution of long-standing disputes between Pakistan and India, especially the core dispute of Jammu and Kashmir, said the press release issued by the FO spokesperson.

“The Indian leaders’ rhetorical statements cannot deflect international attention from India’s heavy-handed approach to suppress the Kashmiri people’s just struggle for realisation of their fundamental rights and freedom, particularly their inalienable right to self-determination,” the FO made it clear.

The statement pointed out that instead of maligning others for terrorism, India should reflect on its own campaign of orchestrating targeted assassinations, subversion and terrorism in foreign territories.

Earlier, Indian PM Narendra Modi alleged Pakistan was trying to stay relevant through “terrorism” and “proxy war” but such a strategy would never succeed. He was speaking at an event to mark the 25th anniversary of India’s short military conflict with Pakistan in Kargil. He alleged Pakistan had been unsuccessful whenever it tried to further its plans but had “not learned anything from its history”. Pakistan has previously denied such accusations by India, saying it only provides diplomatic and moral support to Kashmiris seeking self-determination in the Muslim-majority region.

Earlier this year, Pakistan said there was credible evidence linking Indian agents to the killing of people on its soil.