Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Mar 18: India on Tuesday strongly rebuked Pakistan for its comments on Jammu and Kashmir, accusing it of spreading falsehoods while continuing to promote cross-border terrorism. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) asserted that Pakistan should first vacate Indian territory under its illegal occupation instead of making baseless claims.
"We note that Pakistan has once again made comments about the Indian Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. The world is aware that the real issue is Pakistan’s active promotion and sponsorship of cross-border terrorism, which remains the biggest roadblock to peace and security in the region.
Instead of spreading lies, Pakistan should vacate Indian territory under its illegal and forcible occupation," MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in a statement.
The response came after Pakistan’s Foreign Office labeled Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent remarks on terrorism in the country as “misleading and one-sided.” Addressing the issue in an interview with US-based podcaster Lex Fridman, PM Modi had described Pakistan as the "epicentre of terror," responsible for immense suffering not just in India but globally.
"Wherever terror strikes in the world, the trail somehow leads to Pakistan. Take the September 11 attacks, for example—the mastermind, Osama bin Laden, was found hiding in Pakistan. The world recognizes that terrorism and the terrorist mindset are deeply rooted there. Today, Pakistan stands as an epicentre of terror, not just for India but for the entire world," PM Modi said.
He urged Pakistan to abandon its state-sponsored terrorism for the well-being of its people, emphasizing that they deserve a future free from violence and fear. He expressed hope that Pakistan would learn from its mistakes and choose the correct path.
"We have repeatedly asked them what good could come from this approach. We urged them to abandon state-sponsored terrorism for good. What do they hope to achieve by surrendering their nation to lawless forces?" he questioned.
PM Modi also recalled India's past efforts to establish peace with Pakistan, including his surprise visit to Lahore and inviting his Pakistani counterpart to his swearing-in ceremony. However, he lamented that these gestures were met with hostility and betrayal.
"When I became PM, I specially invited Pakistan to my swearing-in ceremony in an effort to turn over a new leaf. Yet, every noble attempt at fostering peace was met with hostility. We sincerely hope that wisdom prevails and they choose the path of peace," he added.