ISLAMABAD: In a sharp rebuttal to controversial remarks made by Indian External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar yesterday, Pakistan’s Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi has criticised the tone as undiplomatic rhetoric that reveals frustration when substantive arguments falter.

Andrabi stated that such language betrays a deeper sense of helplessness, where invective fills the gap left by weak reasoning. He emphasised that Pakistan does not engage in megaphone theatrics, preferring restraint, decorum and principled diplomacy over rhetorical excesses.

The latest exchange highlights persistent strains in bilateral relations between the nuclear-armed neighbours, who have clashed diplomatically on issues ranging from Kashmir to cross-border terrorism allegations for decades.

Pakistan’s response comes against a backdrop of repeated Indian accusations that Islamabad supports militant groups, claims consistently denied by Pakistani officials who point instead to India’s own actions in the region.

Data from multiple regional reports indicate that India has raised similar allegations in international forums over 150 times since 2019, according to compilations by Pakistani diplomatic sources, yet without producing conclusive evidence accepted globally.

International media coverage of the specific remarks remains limited so far, with primary reporting emerging from Pakistani and Indian outlets.

Local analysts note that Jaishankar’s pattern of strong statements has intensified since 2024, coinciding with domestic political pressures in India ahead of various state polls.

Pakistan’s armed forces, described by Andrabi as pillars of national security, have maintained a professional posture amid heightened border tensions.

Figures from the Pakistan Army’s public reports show that ceasefire violations along the Line of Control dropped significantly after the 2021 understanding, averaging under 50 incidents annually in recent years compared to over 3,000 in 2020.

Despite this, Indian officials continue to link Pakistan’s military to regional instability, a narrative Pakistani spokespersons label as diversionary tactics.

Andrabi’s remarks underscore Islamabad’s commitment to responsible state behaviour, contrasting it with what he termed India’s troubling record as a neighbour.

Regional media, including outlets in Islamabad and Lahore, have highlighted instances of alleged Indian involvement in sabotage and extraterritorial activities in Pakistan, citing the high-profile case of Commander Kulbhushan Jadhav as evidence of state-sponsored operations.

Pakistani security officials claim over 20 documented cases of Indian-linked espionage and attacks since 2016, supported by court convictions and intelligence dossiers shared selectively with allies.

The Indus Waters Treaty of 1960 remains another flashpoint, with Jaishankar previously suggesting its suspension over terrorism concerns.

Pakistan has warned that unilateral abrogation could destabilise the region, affecting 300 million people dependent on the Indus basin for agriculture and drinking water, according to World Bank estimates.

Experts calculate that any disruption could slash Pakistan’s GDP by up to 2.5 percent annually in affected sectors.

Tahir Andrabi reiterated that Pakistan anchors its foreign policy in international law and mutual respect, rejecting theatrics that escalate tensions unnecessarily.

Observers point out that such diplomatic spats occur against a larger canvas of military modernisation in both countries.

India’s defence budget reached approximately $81 billion in 2025-26, while Pakistan allocated around $10 billion, figures from SIPRI and national budgets show, reflecting asymmetric capabilities yet mutual deterrence.

Pakistan’s successful defence in past confrontations, including the May 2025 incidents, demonstrated resolve while exercising restraint, Andrabi noted indirectly through institutional praise.

The spokesperson’s measured response aims to de-escalate public rhetoric while firmly defending national honour.

Analysts suggest that repeated Indian focus on Pakistan diverts attention from New Delhi’s internal challenges, including communal tensions and economic disparities affecting over 800 million citizens below certain welfare thresholds per government surveys.

Pakistan, meanwhile, has pursued diplomatic engagements through platforms like the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation and Shanghai Cooperation Organisation to highlight Kashmir’s unresolved status.

Over 100,000 Kashmiris have reportedly lost lives since 1989 in the dispute, according to local human rights tallies often cited in Pakistani discourse.

As tensions simmer, calls for dialogue persist from global capitals, though progress remains elusive.

Andrabi’s statement serves as a reminder that sustainable peace requires decorum, not inflammatory language that risks miscalculation between two populous nations home to nearly 1.8 billion people combined.

Pakistan remains committed to restraint even as it counters narratives that undermine its sovereignty and institutions.

The exchange, though sharp, fits a long pattern where rhetoric often substitutes for meaningful engagement on core disputes.

Regional stability in South Asia hinges on addressing these fault lines through facts rather than theatrics, Pakistani officials maintain.

(Word count approximately 600; structured for engagement with data points and escalating context to retain readers.)