Foreign Office condemns Modi over ‘hate-driven invocation of violence’

ISLAMABAD: The Foreign Office on Tuesday described the recent remarks passed by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi as the “hate-driven invocation of violence” and a “reckless provocation”.

It said these remarks were “delivered in Gujarat with the theatrical flourish of a campaign rally rather than the sobriety expected of the leader of a nuclear-armed state”.

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“We regret the continued erosion of maturity and decorum in Indian statecraft,” it added.

During a speech, Modi had said: “The people of Pakistan must come forward to rid their country of terrorism. Their youth will have to come forward.”

“Live a life of peace, eat your bread or [choose my] bullet,” he added.

DANGEROUS PRECEDENT

Pakistan noted that the Indian prime minister was setting a “dangerous precedent”.

“The hate-driven invocation of violence in his remarks is deeply disturbing, not only for its content but for the dangerous precedent it sets in a region already burdened by volatility.”

At the same time, the statement also mentioned the UN Charter in the context of sovereignty or political independence of other states.

“Such statements blatantly violate the fundamental principles of the United Nations Charter, which obliges member states to resolve disputes peacefully and to refrain from the threat or use of force against the sovereignty or political independence of other states.”

It said Pakistan viewed the statement as “a reckless provocation, intended to distract from the ongoing human rights abuses and demographic engineering” in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir.

BRUTAL HINDUTVA IDEOLOGY

Moreover, the Foreign Office also advised New Delhi to check the alarming trend of majoritarianism, religious intolerance, and the systematic disenfranchisement of minorities in India.

“If extremism is indeed a concern for the Indian government, [then] it would do well to turn inward—toward the alarming rise of majoritarianism, religious intolerance, and the systematic disenfranchisement of minorities under the increasingly brutal Hindutva ideology.”

It added, “Pakistan’s record as a leading contributor to UN peacekeeping and its consistent cooperation in global counter-terrorism efforts speak louder than any hostile soundbite.”

SOVEREIGN EQUALITY

The Foreign Office also talked about Pakistan’s commitment to peace.

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“Pakistan remains committed to peace based on mutual respect and sovereign equality. However, any threat to its security or territorial integrity will be met with firm and proportionate measures, in accordance with Article 51 of the UN Charter.”

In the statement, the Foreign Office urged the international community to take serious note of India’s escalating rhetoric, which undermines regional stability and the prospects for lasting peace.