Reflects insecurity...: MEA rebukes Pakistan's remarks on India-Afghan ties
New Delhi, August 4
India on Tuesday dismissed Pakistan's criticism of its ties with Afghanistan, saying the remarks reflected Islamabad's "insecurity and frustration" over the positive trajectory of India-Afghanistan relations.
The remarks were made by the Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal during a bi-weekly press briefing here in the national capital.
When asked about the recent remarks by the Pakistani Army spokesperson, General Ahmed Chaudhary, where he criticised India-Afghanistan ties via invoking religious verses, advising Kabul to stay away from "non-believers", Jaiswal said, "The spokesperson of Pakistan had made certain comments. Such statements and comments reflect the Pakistani state's insecurity and frustration over the positive trajectory of India-Afghanistan ties."
The expression of frustration by Islamabad came after a recently concluded visit by Afghanistan Minister of Agriculture, Mawlawi Attaullah Omari, to India in July.
During a press conference in New Delhi, he underlined the strength of ties between India and Afghanistan and said, "I feel like it's my own people as our country, and I feel just like you said, our DNA is one."
Jaiswal also answered another media query regarding the recent article by Indian Ambassador to the US, Vinay Mohan Kwatra, on the Indus Water Treaty's abeyance.
Jaiswal reiterated that the treaty continues to remain in abeyance until Pakistan abjures its support to cross-border terrorism.
"This treaty is in abeyance, and it will be in abeyance till such time that Pakistan irrevocably and credibly abjure its support for cross-border terrorism."
Indian envoy to the United States Vinay Kwatra said New Delhi's decision to keep the IWT in abeyance "merely acknowledged what Pakistan's conduct had already destroyed" in an article on Sunday.
India's decision to hold the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance was a direct response to a deadly terror attack in Pahalgam, while Pakistan's war threats over the water accord are merely an attempt to "distract from its internal problems", Kwatra said in an article published in Newsweek magazine. He affirmed that if Pakistan sincerely wants India's cooperation on bilateral issues, "it must first dismantle the terror infrastructure that it has built."
Kwatra said it is worth remembering that the treaty's preamble declares it was concluded "in a spirit of goodwill and friendship." However, "Pakistan spent half a century dismantling that goodwill and friendship. The abeyance merely acknowledges what Pakistan's conduct had already destroyed," the envoy said.
— ANI
Reader Comments
The Afghan minister's words were so heartwarming! "Our DNA is one" - that's the kind of relationship India wants with all its neighbours. Pakistan should learn from this instead of giving sermons about religion. We are not "non-believers" in humanity and friendship.
As an outsider following this closely, India's handling of this situation has been mature and measured. The Indus Water Treaty abeyance was a bold move. Pakistan's "war threats" are just a distraction from their internal chaos. India is clearly playing the long game here, and it's working.
Honestly, Pakistan's "stay away from non-believers" advice to Afghanistan backfired massively. The Afghan minister literally came to India and felt at home. Actions speak louder than words. And on the IWT - if Pakistan wants water cooperation, they know what to do first. End terrorism support, then talk.
While I understand India's position, I think there's a lesson here about the Indus Water Treaty. The treaty has been a feather in both countries' caps for 60 years. Abeyance is serious. India should ensure that this diplomatic leverage doesn't turn into a long-term water security issue for millions of Pakistanis. That said, Pakistan's provocations leave Delhi with little choice.
🇮🇳 India-Afghan friendship is historic, and no amount of Pakistan's negativity will change that. The way our MEA has called out their "insecurity" is exactly how diplomacy should work - firm, factual, and without drama. Proud of how our nation is handling international relations now.
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.