FO condemns Indian minister’s ‘provocative’ remarks threatening aggression against Pakistan

The Foreign Office (FO) expressed strong disapproval on Friday of Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh's "provocative remarks" aimed at provoking aggression against Pakistan. Singh had warned Pakistan that any "fresh terrorist activity from across the border" would provoke a strike even more severe than the previous conflict, according to Indian news agency ANI.

FO spokesperson Sajjad Haider Khan addressed Singh's comments during his weekly press briefing, condemning the remarks as "provocative" and reflecting India's "hegemonistic mindset," which poses a threat to regional peace and stability in South Asia. Khan reminded India of the consequences of its military aggression in May last year, emphasizing that Pakistan would "never" allow aggression against its "sovereignty and territorial integrity."

He warned that Pakistan's "restraint and commitment to peace" should not be mistaken for weakness, stating that any aggression would provoke a "forceful response." Khan also highlighted India's ill-advised rhetoric and urged the nation to act responsibly for lasting peace in the region. The FO spokesperson further criticized India's decision to revoke the special autonomy of occupied Kashmir in August 2019, calling it "illegal and void" and emphasizing that the final status of Jammu and Kashmir must be determined in accordance with UN Security Council resolutions and the wishes of the Kashmiri people.

Khan also revealed that the foreign ministry was digitizing and automating attestation services, making them faster, more transparent, and accessible, particularly for overseas Pakistanis.