India on Monday firmly rejected remarks made by Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs concerning incidents involving minorities in India, asserting that Islamabad’s own track record on minority rights disqualifies it from commenting on the issue.

Responding to media queries, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said Pakistan’s statements were baseless and amounted to deflection from its well-documented failures in protecting religious minorities within its borders.

MEA Slams Pakistan’s ‘Systemic Victimisation’ Of Minorities

Official Spokesperson of the MEA, Randhir Jaiswal, said India “rejects the reported remarks from a country whose abysmal record on this front speaks for itself.” He added that Pakistan’s “horrific and systemic victimisation of minorities of various faiths is a well-established fact.” “No amount of finger-pointing will obfuscate it,” Jaiswal said, underscoring India’s position that Pakistan lacks the moral authority to comment on internal matters of another sovereign nation.

The MEA response came hours after Pakistan’s Foreign Office issued a statement expressing what it termed “deep concern” over alleged incidents of vandalism during Christmas and violence against Muslims in India.

Pakistan’s Statement Triggers Sharp Rebuttal

In its statement dated December 29, Pakistan’s Foreign Office spokesperson claimed that recent incidents in India reflected persecution of minorities and urged the international community to take note. The statement also referenced past incidents and accused Indian authorities of shielding perpetrators.

India dismissed these assertions as politically motivated and misleading, pointing out that Pakistan continues to face international scrutiny over the shrinking space for minorities, including Hindus, Christians, Sikhs and Ahmadis.

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The MEA maintained that issues within India are addressed through democratic institutions and legal processes, unlike in Pakistan, where minorities face systemic discrimination and lack effective legal safeguards. India has consistently advised Pakistan to focus on improving its own governance and human rights record instead of making “unwarranted and provocative statements” on India’s internal affairs.

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The exchange marks yet another sharp diplomatic face-off between the two neighbours, reflecting persistent tensions over human rights narratives and international perception.