‘Vacate Indian territory…’: India fires back at Pakistan over Kashmir

In a stern response to Pakistan’s comments over Jammu and Kashmir, India on Tuesday said Islamabad should vacate Indian territory under its “illegal and forcible occupation”. New Delhi also said the “real issue” is Pakistan’s active promotion and sponsorship of cross-border terrorism.

India’s reaction comes after Pakistan accused India of fomenting militancy on its soil, particularly in Balochistan, and “state-sanctioned oppression” in Kashmir.

Today, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson 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.”

He added, “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.”

Earlier, Pakistan reacted over Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s podcast with US computer scientist and podcaster Lex Fridman, in which he stated that India’s attempts to foster peace with Pakistan were “met with hostility and betrayal” and hoped that “wisdom would prevail” on the leadership in Islamabad to improve bilateral ties.

In a statement, Pakistan’s Foreign Office had said Modi’s recent remarks on a podcast about regional peace were “misleading and one-sided”.

Pakistan had also criticised New Delhi for “conveniently” omitting the Kashmir issue from discussions.

In response to Modi’s remarks, Pakistan had said India’s “fictitious narrative of victimhood” could not hide its involvement in “fomenting militancy on Pakistan’s soil and state-sanctioned oppression” in Kashmir.

It also added, “Instead of blaming others, India should reflect on its own record of orchestrating targeted assassinations, subversion and terrorism in foreign territories.”

“Pakistan has always advocated constructive engagement and result-oriented dialogue to resolve all outstanding issues, including the core dispute of Jammu and Kashmir,” it said.

The statement by Pakistan was a reference to allegations against India of plotting assassinations in the US and Canada.

Last year, Pakistan also accused India of “extraterritorial” and “extrajudicial” killings of two of its citizens on Pakistani soil, while it has consistently accused India along with other countries of fomenting militancy in its western provinces, particularly Balochistan. India has denied all allegations.

The Pakistani Foreign Office further said that peace and stability in South Asia have remained “hostage to India’s rigid approach and hegemonic ambitions.”

“The anti-Pakistan narrative, emanating from India, vitiates the bilateral environment and impedes the prospects for peace and cooperation. It must stop,” it said.