New Delhi [India]: India on Tuesday stated that Pakistan’s promotion of cross-border terrorism remains the biggest “roadblock” to peace and security in the region.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal made these remarks in response to comments by Pakistan’s Foreign Office regarding Jammu and Kashmir, which followed Prime Minister Narendra Modi‘s remarks in a recent podcast. Jaiswal also called on Islamabad to vacate Indian territories under its “illegal and forcible occupation.”
In response to media queries on Pakistan’s comments, Jaiswal said, “We note that Pakistan has once again made some comments about the Indian Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.”
“The world knows that the real issue is Pakistan’s active promotion and sponsorship of cross-border terrorism. In fact, this is 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,” Jaiswal added.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during a candid interview with American podcaster Lex Fridman, recently shared his efforts to improve relations with Pakistan. He recounted inviting then-Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to his swearing-in ceremony and even personally traveling to Lahore in pursuit of peace.
“I even personally travelled to Lahore in the pursuit of peace. When I became Prime Minister, I specially invited Pakistan to my swearing-in ceremony so we could turn over a new leaf. Yet, every noble attempt at fostering peace was met with hostility and betrayal,” PM Modi remarked in the podcast.
His comments followed heightened tensions after Pakistan accused India of involvement in the Jaffar Express train attack, where passengers were taken hostage by Baloch rebels.
In response, Pakistan’s Foreign Office spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan claimed that the rebels involved in the Jaffar Express attack had been in contact with ringleaders in Afghanistan, further accusing India of being involved in terrorism in Pakistan.
“India has been involved in terrorism in Pakistan. In the particular attack on Jaffar Express, the terrorists had been in contact with their handlers and ring leaders in Afghanistan,” Shafqat Ali Khan said during a press briefing.
India firmly rejected these claims. On March 14, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal responded, stating:
“We strongly reject the baseless allegations made by Pakistan. The whole world knows where the epicenter of global terrorism lies. Pakistan should look inwards instead of pointing fingers and shifting the blame for its own internal problems and failures onto others.”