ISLAMABAD— Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has strongly condemned what it called “provocative and irresponsible” remarks by Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, cautioning New Delhi against underestimating Pakistan’s resolve and military preparedness to counter any aggression.
The Foreign Office (FO) issued the response following Singh’s comments on Sunday, in which he ruled out bilateral talks with Pakistan unless they focused solely on Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK). He also warned of a military response “beyond imagination” in case of any escalation.
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Pakistan Condemns Remarks by Indian Defense Minister
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— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) July 26, 2026
Distortion of UN Reality & Threat to Peace
In an official statement released early Monday, the Foreign Office rejected India’s stance, saying it deliberately distorts internationally recognised legal positions on the dispute.
- UN Resolution Distortion: The FO said Singh’s remarks misrepresent established facts regarding the UN Security Council-recognised Jammu and Kashmir dispute, which affirms the Kashmiri people’s right to self-determination.
- Diversionary Tactics: Islamabad described the comments as an attempt to divert international attention from human rights violations in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), state-sponsored terrorism, and growing internal political challenges within India.
- Operational Readiness: The FO warned India against miscalculating Pakistan’s defensive strength, pointing to the country’s response during Operation Bunyanum Marsoos in May 2025.
Defense Minister Rebuttals
Echoing the Foreign Office position, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif strongly criticised New Delhi’s aggressive tone, stressing that inflammatory political statements cannot change the legal status of the Kashmir issue.
“India’s repeated attempts to malign Pakistan lack credibility in light of its own well-documented record of state-sponsored terrorism. Equally alarming is India’s irresponsible rhetoric, which risks lowering the threshold for interstate conflict in the region.”
— Khawaja Asif, Federal Minister for Defence
Asif added that while Pakistan remains committed to regional peace and constructive dialogue, its determination to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity is unwavering.
