Pakistan Hits Back at Modi’s One-Sided Remarks on Kashmir

On Monday, Pakistan responded strongly to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent comments about Jammu and Kashmir. Modi spoke during a podcast with American host Lex Fridman, where he claimed that every effort to build peace with Pakistan ended in betrayal. He expressed hope that wisdom would guide Pakistan’s leaders to improve relations between the two countries.

The Pakistan Foreign Office quickly issued a statement saying Modi’s remarks were misleading and one-sided. They pointed out that the long-standing issue of Jammu and Kashmir remains unresolved after over 70 years, despite India’s promises to the United Nations and the people of Kashmir.

The statement accused India of creating problems in Pakistan and oppressing people in Jammu and Kashmir. It also claimed India is involved in planned attacks and terrorism beyond its borders. Pakistan said it has always been open to talks to resolve important issues, particularly the Kashmir dispute. They believe that peace in South Asia has suffered because of India’s inflexible approach and ambitions for power.

Pakistan’s comment said that India’s negative narrative about Pakistan harms the relationship between the two countries and makes peace harder to achieve. Modi mentioned that India considers Jammu and Kashmir to be a permanent part of the country. Relations between India and Pakistan worsened, and trade between them stopped after India removed the special status of Jammu and Kashmir in August 2019.

During the podcast, Modi recalled inviting Pakistan’s former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to his swearing-in ceremony in 2014, hoping for a fresh start. However, he said that attempts at peace have often faced hostility. Modi emphasized that many people in Pakistan likely desire peace, too, as they suffer from ongoing violence and terror that affects innocent lives. He also called out Pakistan for being a source of terrorism, stating that the world understands where the roots of terror lie, and that Pakistan has caused pain not only for India but worldwide.