India has strongly rejected the remarks made by Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar at the 33rd ASEAN Regional Forum. Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal on Thursday called them "baseless and unwarranted", while accusing Islamabad of using an international platform to spread misinformation and divert attention from its own record on cross-border terrorism.

India Rejects Pakistan's Remarks

Respondig to media queries, Jaiswal said Pakistan has once again used a multilateral forum to make false claims. “India categorically rejects the baseless and unwarranted comments made by the Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister of Pakistan. It is no surprise that a multilateral forum has once again been cynically exploited by Pakistan to amplify falsehoods, peddle state-sponsored disinformation, and divert attention from its own well-documented record of sponsoring cross-border terrorism,” Jaiswal said.

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Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh Are Integral Parts Of India: MEA

Jaiswal reiterated that Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh are an integral and inseparable part of the country. He said Pakistan has no right to comment on matters related to these territories. “The Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh have been, are and will always remain integral and inalienable parts of India. Pakistan has no locus standi to comment on the same,” Jaiswal added.

India Reiterates Stand On Indus Waters Treaty

He also reaffirmed India’s position on the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), stressing that the treaty would remain suspended until Pakistan takes credible and irreversible steps to end its support for terrorism. “Similarly, India's position on the Indus Waters Treaty remains consistent. IWT stands in abeyance in response to Pakistan's continued sponsorship of cross-border terrorism, including the dastardly Pahalgam attack. IWT will continue to be held in abeyance until Pakistan credibly and irrevocably abjures its support for cross-border terrorism,” Jaiswal stated.

India Condemns 'Fitna al-Hindustan' Narrative

India also criticised Pakistan for using religious terms such as "Fitna al-Hindustan" in its official messaging. The MEA said such narratives are part of a disinformation campaign aimed at diverting attention from Pakistan's internal challenges and its role in providing haven to terrorist groups. Jaiswal added, “Instead of pointing fingers at its neighbours and misusing international platforms, Pakistan would serve itself and its people far better by dismantling the infrastructure of terrorism on its soil and putting its own house in order.”

Pak Minister's Statement

Notably, at the ARF Ministerial Meeting in Manila, Dar had stated that lasting peace in South Asia lies in the just resolution of the Jammu & Kashmir dispute in accordance with UNSC resolutions. He also stressed on the importance of upholding the Indus Waters Treaty as a cornerstone of regional peace and stability, as reported by Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

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