ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Foreign Office on Monday strongly condemned recent remarks by Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, accusing New Delhi of distorting historical and legal facts and attempting to misrepresent the internationally recognised status of the issue.
In a statement, the Foreign Office said the Jammu and Kashmir dispute remains on the agenda of the United Nations Security Council and must be resolved in accordance with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions.
The reaction came after Rajnath Singh ruled out the possibility of dialogue with Pakistan on Sunday, saying there would be no negotiations between the two countries. According to Indian media reports, he said that if any talks were to take place, they would only concern Azad Jammu and Kashmir, which he described as being under Pakistan’s “illegal occupation”. He also warned that any future “misadventure” would receive a response that would go “beyond their imagination”.
Responding to the remarks, the Foreign Office said the statement not only distorted facts regarding the internationally recognised Jammu and Kashmir dispute but also reflected what it described as the Indian government’s deliberate policy of threatening regional and international peace and security.
The Foreign Office further alleged that such statements were intended to divert international attention from the situation in Indian-occupied Jammu and Kashmir and other issues related to terrorism.
It also warned India against underestimating Pakistan’s resolve or defence capabilities, stating that Pakistan’s armed forces and people had delivered a strong and effective response to Indian aggression during Operation Bunyan-ul-Marsoos.
Pakistan urged the international community, particularly the United Nations, to take note of what it described as India’s continued irresponsible behaviour and to hold New Delhi accountable for failing to implement the relevant UN Security Council resolutions guaranteeing the right to self-determination of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
The Foreign Office reiterated Pakistan’s call for the peaceful resolution of the Kashmir dispute in accordance with UN Security Council resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people.
