India Responds to Pakistan's Reactions to PM Modi's Remarks on Jammu and Kashmir:

New Delhi, responding to Pakistan’s condemnation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s remarks on Jammu and Kashmir during a recent podcast, strongly reiterated that Pakistan should vacate Indian territory under its “illegal occupation” instead of “spreading lies.” The External Affairs Ministry spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal, stated that Pakistan’s actions were preventing peace in the region and exacerbating the situation.

During a podcast with Lex Fridman, an AI researcher and US podcaster, PM Modi had said that every effort to foster peace with Pakistan had been met with “hostility and betrayal,” adding that he hoped wisdom would prevail in Islamabad’s leadership to improve bilateral relations.

Pakistan’s Reaction: "Misleading and One-Sided"

Pakistan rejected PM Modi’s comments as “misleading and one-sided,” sparking a response from India. Jaiswal emphasized that the real issue in Jammu and Kashmir was Pakistan’s “active promotion and sponsorship” of cross-border terrorism. He stressed that terrorism, not any territorial dispute, was the largest obstacle to peace and stability in the region.

Jaiswal further added, "Instead of spreading lies, Pakistan should vacate Indian territory under its illegal and forcible occupation." This remark highlighted India's long-standing position on the Kashmir conflict, asserting that Pakistan’s occupation of parts of Jammu and Kashmir was unlawful.

PM Modi’s Remarks on Jammu and Kashmir

During the podcast, PM Modi delved into India’s relationship with Pakistan, explaining that the neighboring country had repeatedly chosen hostility over peace. He said, "Time and again, they decided to be at odds with India. They have waged a proxy war against us. Don't mistake this for ideology," referring to Pakistan’s support for militant activities along the border.

The Indian Prime Minister also reflected on his diplomatic efforts with Pakistan, recalling his invitation to Nawaz Sharif, the then-Pakistani Prime Minister, to attend his 2014 swearing-in ceremony. He described this as a “gesture of goodwill” aimed at turning a new leaf in the strained India-Pakistan relations.

India’s Diplomatic Outreach to Pakistan

PM Modi further noted that, despite his efforts to improve relations with Pakistan, every attempt had been met with betrayal. "Every noble attempt at fostering peace was met with hostility and betrayal," Modi said. This included his invitation to all Saarc heads of state, which he highlighted as a diplomatic gesture that was unprecedented in decades.

Cross-Border Terrorism: The Core Issue

India’s response underscored that the primary barrier to peace was not a dispute over Kashmir’s territory but rather Pakistan’s ongoing involvement in cross-border terrorism. The External Affairs Ministry reaffirmed India’s position that no peace process could move forward unless Pakistan ceased its support for terrorist activities that destabilized the region.

Continuing Tensions Between India and Pakistan

The ongoing tensions between India and Pakistan have been exacerbated by the long-standing Kashmir issue, with each country accusing the other of aggression and interference. India maintains that peace and security in the region can only be achieved once Pakistan ends its support for terrorism and vacates the parts of Kashmir it occupies.