India slams Pakistan for "cynically" misusing ASEAN Regional Forum to peddle falsehoods
New Delhi, July 23
India on Thursday strongly criticised the "baseless and unwarranted" comments made by Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar regarding Kashmir and the Indus Waters Treaty during the 33rd ASEAN Regional Forum meeting in Manila.
New Delhi termed the remarks yet another "futile attempt" by the Pakistani establishment to deflect attention from its domestic crisis and its established role as a safe haven for global terrorist networks.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar attended the high-level ministerial sessions in the Philippine capital over the last two days under the ASEAN framework, encompassing the ASEAN-India, East Asia Summit (EAS), and ARF meetings.
Responding to media queries on Dar's assertions, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal highlighted that a multilateral forum was once again "cynically exploited" by Islamabad to amplify falsehoods and peddle state-sponsored disinformation.
"India categorically rejects the baseless and unwarranted comments made by the Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister of Pakistan. It is no surprise that a multilateral forum has once again been cynically exploited by Pakistan to amplify falsehoods, peddle state-sponsored disinformation, and divert attention from its own well-documented record of sponsoring cross-border terrorism," Jaiswal stated.
Reaffirming New Delhi's stance, the Ministry reiterated that the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir as well as Ladakh "have been, are and will always remain integral and inalienable parts of India", emphasising that Pakistan holds no locus standi to comment on the matter.
Addressing the status of regional water distribution agreements following cross-border attacks, the MEA spokesperson outlined New Delhi's firm policy.
"Similarly, India's position on the Indus Waters Treaty remains consistent. IWT stands in abeyance in response to Pakistan's continued sponsorship of cross-border terrorism, including the dastardly Pahalgam attack. IWT will continue to be held in abeyance until Pakistan credibly and irrevocably abjures its support for cross-border terrorism," the spokesperson added.
India noted that rather than pointing fingers at neighbouring states and misusing global platforms, Pakistan would serve its citizenry significantly better by dismantling the infrastructure of terrorism on its soil and ordering its internal affairs.
"We also strongly condemn Pakistan's continued practice of propagating officially sponsored disinformation, often dressed in religious terminology such as the use of terms like Fitna al-Hindustan. This is a futile attempt by the Pakistani establishment to deflect attention from its own internal crisis and its well-proven role as a safe haven for global terrorist networks," Jaiswal said.
— ANI
Reader Comments
I'm not Indian but even I can see the pattern here. Whenever Pakistan's internal problems grow, they look for distraction. But why would the ASEAN Regional Forum let them turn it into a propaganda platform? India's response was spot on - focus on your own backyard first.
Also important to note: India's position on Indus Waters Treaty is very clear now. Can't keep giving them water when they use it as a weapon. Pahalgam attack was the last straw. They need to prove they've ended support for terrorism before any talks. That's how you deal with bad faith actors.
I'm glad Jaishankar ji is so assertive on the global stage. No more playing nice with those who sponsor terrorism. But I do wonder if our own diplomatic messaging could be more proactive in these forums. Why let Pakistan set the narrative in the first place? We should be the ones shaping the agenda.
Interesting that Pakistan thinks raising Kashmir at ASEAN will work when ASEAN countries are mostly focused on their own economy and China issues. India's counter-terrorism narrative is much stronger internationally. That line about "Fitna al-Hindustan" using religious terminology is particularly concerning. State-sponsored disinformation is dangerous.
Remember when they tried similar stunts at UN and OIC? Same old script, different stage-bhakt! Jai Hind! Our stand on IWT is the biggest flex - they want water? Stop sending terrorists first. Simple deal. Pakistan needs to understand that time has changed. India won't tolerate this nonsense anymore.
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