ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Foreign Office on Saturday firmly rejected what ittermed irresponsible assertions by Indian External Affairs Minister Dr SJaishankar, who alluded to “bad neighbours” persisting with terrorism whilelinking it to the Indus Waters Treaty. The FO accused New Delhi ofattempting to deflect attention from its documented involvement inpromoting regional terrorism and instability. This sharp rebuke followsJaishankar’s remarks in Madras, escalating diplomatic tensions between thenuclear-armed neighbours amid lingering fallout from the 2025 militaryconflict.
Jaishankar, speaking at an event on Friday, stated that India has a rightto defend itself against deliberate and persistent terrorism from a westernneighbour, without naming Pakistan directly. He questioned thecompatibility of water-sharing arrangements with ongoing hostile actions,saying one cannot demand neighbourly benefits while continuing terrorism.Indian media widely interpreted these comments as aimed at Pakistan,reigniting debates over cross-border militancy allegations that havepoisoned bilateral ties for decades.
The Foreign Office response highlighted India’s alleged state-sponsoredactivities, citing the 2016 arrest of Indian naval officer KulbhushanJadhav in Balochistan as irrefutable evidence. Jadhav confessed toespionage and sabotage directed by India’s Research and Analysis Wing,according to Pakistani authorities. The FO argued that such actions,including extraterritorial killings and proxy support to militant networks,reflect extremist ideologies threatening South Asian peace and stability.
This exchange occurs against the backdrop of strained relations followingthe April 2025 Pahalgam terror attack, which killed 26 civilians andprompted India’s Operation Sindoor missile strikes on alleged terror campsin Pakistan. A brief military escalation ensued before a ceasefire,mediated partly through international channels. The Indus Waters Treaty,brokered by the World Bank in 1960, has since become a flashpoint, withIndia placing it in abeyance post-Pahalgam.
Pakistan views any unilateral modification of the treaty as illegal and athreat to regional stability, emphasising its status as a bindinginternational agreement concluded at considerable cost. The FO warned thatbreaching the framework would undermine credibility in global legalobligations and exacerbate water security concerns for downstream Pakistan,home to over 240 million people reliant on Indus basin rivers.
On Jammu and Kashmir, the FO reiterated condemnation of India’s “illegalmilitary occupation” since 2019 changes to the region’s status. It pledgedcontinued political, moral, and diplomatic support to Kashmiris in theirUN-mandated right to self-determination. Analysts note that mutualaccusations of terrorism sponsorship have historically impeded dialogue,with both sides presenting dossiers to international forums.
Recent developments include a symbolic handshake between Jaishankar andPakistan’s National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq in Dhaka during lateBangladeshi leader Khaleda Zia’s funeral, marking rare high-level contactsince May 2025 clashes. Yet, the latest verbal salvo suggests normalisationremains distant, with terrorism narratives dominating discourse.
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Experts observe that India’s growing global stature contrasts withPakistan’s economic challenges, yet Islamabad leverages cases like Jadhavto counter narratives. The international community, including the UN andmajor powers, has repeatedly urged restraint and dialogue, recognising therisks posed by escalation between two nations possessing nuclearcapabilities.
The FO’s statement underscores Pakistan’s resolve to safeguard interestsunder international law, including the Indus treaty, while calling out whatit sees as India’s pattern of deflection. As 2026 begins, observers watchfor potential backchannel efforts amid public rhetoric.
Source:https://www.dawn.com/news/1964861
Tags: Pakistan, India, Jaishankar, Foreign Office
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