NEW DELHI: India on Tuesday launched a sharp diplomatic attack on Pakistan, accusing Islamabad of making “desperate attempts to cover up its own failings” after Pakistani Defence Minister Khawaja Asif warned that the country could resort to war over issues related to water security and the Indus Waters Treaty.
MEA Rejects Pakistan’s Claims
Responding to Pakistan’s recent statements, the spokesperson of Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Randhir Jaiswal dismissed the remarks as baseless and politically motivated efforts designed to divert global attention from Pakistan’s internal challenges and alleged human rights violations in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).
In a strongly worded statement, the Mr. Jaiswal said, “it had taken note of various reports and comments emerging from Pakistan and categorically rejected what it described as fabricated claims.”
“We have seen such remarks as desperate attempts by Pakistan to cover up its own failings and divert attention from its human rights abuses. We categorically reject these fabricated claims and treat them with the contempt that they deserve,” the MEA said.
War Remarks Over Indus Waters Treaty
The statement came after Khawaja Asif suggested that Pakistan would not hesitate to go to war if its access to water resources was threatened. His comments were made in the context of growing tensions surrounding the Indus Waters Treaty, a long-standing water-sharing agreement between India and Pakistan.
India, however, maintained that Pakistan was trying to shift focus away from its domestic governance failures and the deteriorating situation in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
India Raises Concerns Over PoK Situation
According to the MEA, the ongoing protests in PoK are not isolated incidents but the result of decades of systemic economic exploitation, suppression of democratic rights and administrative oppression by Pakistan.
The ministry said residents in the region have repeatedly voiced concerns over rising inflation, lack of economic opportunities, inadequate public services and the denial of fundamental freedoms.
Allegations Of Excessive Force
India further alleged that Pakistani authorities have responded to these protests with excessive force instead of addressing the grievances of the local population.
“The Pakistani state has responded with extreme police brutality, blocking essential supplies and medicines, imposing internet blackouts and using lethal force against unarmed civilians,” the statement said.
The MEA also highlighted reports indicating that several people had lost their lives during crackdowns on protesters in the region, raising concerns over the treatment of civilians and restrictions on basic freedoms.
India Reiterates Its Stand
India asserted that these developments reflect a broader pattern of governance failures that Pakistan has been unable to address effectively.
The government also reiterated its position that Pakistan-occupied Kashmir remains under Pakistan’s illegal and forcible occupation and said Islamabad has continuously ignored the aspirations and welfare of the people living there.
Bilateral Tensions Continue
The latest exchange marks another chapter in the already strained relationship between the two neighbours, which have remained at odds over multiple issues, including cross-border terrorism, territorial disputes and bilateral agreements.
India has consistently maintained that Pakistan should focus on improving conditions within its own territories instead of making provocative statements against New Delhi.
International Community Urged To Act
Diplomatic tensions have intensified in recent months amid renewed debates over regional security and water-sharing mechanisms. While Pakistan has attempted to internationalise several issues, India has repeatedly insisted that bilateral matters should be addressed without inflammatory rhetoric.
Randhir Jaiswal said that the international community should pay closer attention to the situation unfolding in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and hold Islamabad accountable for alleged abuses.“We hope the international community will hold Pakistan accountable for its misdeeds and abuses,” the statement added.
Looking Ahead
India’s response signals its intention to firmly counter Pakistan’s narrative on global platforms while continuing to draw attention to developments in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
With both countries exchanging strong statements, analysts believe that diplomatic tensions are likely to remain elevated in the coming weeks. However, India has underlined that provocative remarks and attempts to deflect attention will not change the reality of the situation on the ground.
The latest diplomatic exchange also reflects New Delhi’s broader strategy of highlighting governance and human rights concerns in Pakistan while rejecting accusations aimed at India. As regional tensions continue, the focus may increasingly shift toward international scrutiny of conditions in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and Islamabad’s response to growing public discontent within the territory.
