Pakistan rejects Indian PM’s remarks

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has denounced Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s confrontational remarks made on Friday in Drass, Ladakh, asserting that such statements damage regional peace and impede the resolution of the Kashmir conflict.

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 a press release issued by the Foreign Office 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 freedoms, particularly their inalienable right to self-determination, the official news agency reported.

Instead of maligning others for terrorism, India should reflect on its own campaign of orchestrating targeted assassinations, subversion and terrorism in foreign territories.

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.

While Pakistan is ready to counter India’s aggressive actions, it remains committed to promoting peace and stability in the region.

Earlier, Indian PM 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”.