Pakistan slams Modi’s inflammatory remarks as ‘regrettable but expected’

ISLAMABAD: The Foreign Office spokesperson on Wednesday termed the Indian prime minister Narendra Modi’s recent statements as “regrettable though unsurprising,” accusing him of once again resorting to inflammatory rhetoric.

In a strongly worded response, the FO spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan said the Indian leader’s attempt to distort historical facts and justify domestic oppression of minorities reflects a troubling pattern. “Weaponising shared water resources, governed by bilateral treaties, constitutes a clear violation of international norms,” the spokesperson said.

The statement noted that the Indian PM’s address exposes contradictions between New Delhi’s regional conduct and global aspirations. “If Indian leadership genuinely seeks international respect, it must first engage in introspection,” the FO remarked, urging India to “lighten its conscience before threatening others.”

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Highlighting India’s external conduct, the spokesperson said: “The Indian government has been implicated in extraterritorial killings and foreign interference while occupying territories of neighboring nations.” The statement particularly referenced India’s “record of state repression in occupied Jammu and Kashmir,” adding that it was ironic for a state “built on coercion to posture as a victim.”

The FO criticised the ruling dispensation in India for institutionalising mob violence, promoting hate campaigns, and targeting religious minorities for political gains. “Such actions find no justification internationally nor enhance India’s credibility as a responsible regional power,” it said.

Pakistan called on India to realign with fundamental principles of the international order, warning that “electoral warmongering may fetch temporary applause but jeopardises lasting peace and regional stability.” The statement concluded with an apparent reference to India’s youth, often “the first casualties of nationalist frenzy.”

Earlier Modi while addressing a gathering in India said that Pakistan’s youth needs to come forward with regards to the existence ‘terrorism’ there and if they don’t find bread, they can have the bullet instead insinuating that the people must be slaughtered if it comes to it.