KARACHI: Pakistan on Friday denounced Indian PM Narendra Modi’s “belligerent remarks” on the anniversary of the Kargil war, terming them counter-productive jingoism that undermined regional peace.

Speaking at an event in the disputed region of Ladakh earlier in the day, the Indian leader had claimed that Pakistan was trying to stay relevant through “terrorism” and “proxy war”.

At the event in Drass, Modi said Pakistan had been unsuccessful whenever it tried to further its plans, but had “not learned anything from its history”.

“I want to tell these patrons of terrorism that their unholy plans will never be successful...Our brave [forces] will squash terrorism, the enemy will be given a befitting reply,” Reuters quoted him as saying.

Indian PM claims Pakistan ‘hasn’t learned from history’; FO says committed to peace, but ready to counter any aggressive acts

In response, the Foreign Office said in a statement that “bravado and jingoism” undermine regional peace and were “totally counter-productive” for the resolution of long-standing disputes between the two countries, especially the core dispute of Kashmir.

“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 FO said.

It added that India should reflect on its campaign of “orchestrating targeted assassinations, subversion and terrorism in foreign territories” instead of accusing others of terrorism.

The FO said that Pakistan stood 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, when Indian warplanes carried out an air strike near Balakot.

One Indian plane was shot down and its pilot V. Abhinandan was captured. However, international efforts to defuse the powder keg bore fruit and he was turned over to New Delhi soon after.

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

This escalation in the war of words with Pakistan comes after Modi’s near absolute control over the Indian parliament was dented in recent general elections, with the opposition INDIA bloc securing nearly as many seats as the BJP alone.

In recent months, there has been a spate of attacks on both sides of the border. Pakistan has said there was credible evidence linking Indian agents to the killing of dozens of people on its soil, while India claims that Islamabad is behind a recent spate of attacks in India-held Jammu and Kashmir where at least 12 Indian soldiers have been killed this year.

Published in Dawn, July 27th, 2024