New Delhi has delivered a firm and unequivocal response to Pakistan Army Chief General Asim Munir’s controversial statement on Kashmir, asserting that Islamabad’s only association with the region is its obligation to vacate the illegally occupied territories. In a sharply worded rebuttal, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) dismissed the Pakistani general’s claim that Kashmir is Pakistan’s “jugular vein”, reiterating that Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India and any assertions otherwise are baseless and politically motivated.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, while addressing reporters in the capital, questioned the logic behind General Munir’s assertion, saying, “How can anything foreign be in a jugular vein? This is a Union Territory of India. Its only relationship with Pakistan is the vacation of illegally occupied territories by that country.” His statement underscores India’s consistent position on Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) and reinforces its demand for Islamabad to end its illegal occupation.
General Asim Munir’s speech to a group of overseas Pakistanis stirred further controversy by invoking the two-nation theory and asserting Pakistan’s distinct cultural and ideological identity from India. Emphasizing that Pakistanis abroad must preserve and propagate their heritage, Munir said, “Our forefathers thought that we are different from the Hindus in every aspect of life… That was the foundation of the two-nation theory.” He went on to say that Pakistanis should not forget their origin and should pass on these ideals to the next generation.
It was during this address that General Munir reiterated Pakistan’s long-standing and rigid stance on Kashmir, claiming, “Our stance is absolutely clear, it was our jugular vein, it will be our jugular vein, we will not forget it.” His words once again tied the volatile Kashmir issue to Pakistan’s national identity and ideological foundation, a linkage that has historically hindered diplomatic progress and normalization between the two nuclear-armed neighbors.
India, however, remains steadfast in its view that Pakistan’s repeated references to Kashmir are not just unwarranted but are an attempt to divert attention from its own internal failures, including its inability to control terrorism emanating from its soil. New Delhi has often criticized the Pakistani military establishment for interfering in democratic processes and using anti-India rhetoric to rally domestic support amid crises of legitimacy and economic instability.
General Munir’s remarks also reveal Islamabad’s unwillingness to revise its aggressive posturing towards India, particularly regarding Kashmir. This hardline rhetoric is viewed by analysts as a way to reassert the Pakistan Army’s dominance in political discourse and national narrative during a time when the country is facing mounting economic challenges and rising discontent.
By reinforcing the two-nation theory and drawing a deep ideological divide, Munir not only echoed a decades-old doctrine but also complicated the prospects of peace. The statement is likely to further escalate tensions between India and Pakistan, already strained due to a series of cross-border incidents, ceasefire violations, and continued terrorist activity in the Kashmir Valley, which New Delhi attributes to Pakistani support.
India’s response, however, is indicative of a firmer diplomatic stance that seeks to confront what it sees as repeated provocations from the Pakistani establishment. The strong words from the MEA reflect New Delhi’s unwillingness to tolerate inflammatory comments, particularly when they challenge India’s sovereignty or seek to influence the internal matters of the country.
As geopolitical analysts watch for further developments, it is clear that Kashmir remains a deeply entrenched fault line between India and Pakistan. With Pakistan’s military rhetoric escalating and India doubling down on its territorial claims, the path to dialogue appears more distant than ever.
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