Modi's speech undermines peace, justifies aggression: FO

Express Tribune

13-05-2025

The Foreign Office has categorically rejected the inflammatory and provocative statements made by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi against Pakistan in his speech on Monday.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, Foreign Office spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan said that, at a time when international efforts are underway to promote regional peace and stability, Indian Prime Minister Modi's remarks represent a dangerous escalation rooted in misinformation, political opportunism, and a blatant disregard for international law. 'This statement also reflects a propensity to fabricate misleading narratives to justify aggression,' he added.
🔊PR NO.1️⃣3️⃣6️⃣/2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣5️⃣
Pakistan Rejects Provocative and Inflammatory Assertions by the Indian Prime Minister.
🔗⬇️https://t.co/PaHTD3AlfL pic.twitter.com/g1iPVDBUHn — Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) May 13, 2025
Khan stated that Pakistan remains committed to the recent ceasefire understanding and continues to take necessary steps towards de-escalation and regional stability.
'This ceasefire was achieved through the facilitation of several friendly countries that reached out to us with messages encouraging de-escalation,' he said. He rejected the portrayal of Pakistan as seeking a ceasefire out of 'despair and frustration,' calling it another blatant falsehood.
Calling the Pahalgam attack a politically motivated and concocted story aimed at justifying aggression against Pakistan, the spokesperson said, 'The Pahalgam attack is being exploited without credible evidence to malign Pakistan, justify military adventurism by contriving a casus belli, serve domestic political objectives, deflect attention from rising communal tensions and human rights violations in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, and reinforce a manufactured narrative of a perpetual external threat.'
He said that after India's unlawful and unprovoked aggression against innocent Pakistani civilians on a false pretext of terrorism—and despite Pakistan's restraint—India recklessly escalated the situation by targeting Pakistan's military bases, risking an uncontrollable spiral.
The spokesperson warned that Indian actions set a dangerous precedent for aggression and dragged the entire region to the brink of disaster. 'This reflects the mindset of a revisionist actor that seeks to upend strategic stability in South Asia without regard for the consequences,' he said.
He further stated that India is attempting to justify the cold-blooded murder of innocent civilians, mostly women and children, while portraying its brinkmanship as the 'new normal' for the region.
'Pakistan totally rejects this assertion. The 'normal' remains that no one will be allowed to challenge the principles and purposes of the UN Charter, as amply demonstrated by Pakistan in resolutely defending its sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the security of its people,' he asserted.
'Make no mistake, we will closely monitor India's actions and behaviour in this regard in the coming days,' he warned and urged the international community to do the same.
The spokesperson affirmed that Pakistan has the right to self-defence, stating: 'Our response to Indian aggression was calibrated and targeted strictly at military installations.'
'Pakistan demonstrated its strength against Indian military capability and targets. This is now an indisputable and well-known fact that cannot be denied through misinformation and propaganda,' he said.
He added that India's illegal and unilateral actions are also evident in its blatant disregard for binding agreements, such as the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), which has governed shared water resources for decades. 'Pakistan will take all necessary measures to preserve its rights under the Treaty,' he maintained.
Highlighting India's role in sponsoring terrorism inside Pakistan, Khan said, 'Pakistan is a victim of terrorism that is being directly sponsored by India. We have suffered immensely due to this scourge. Our contributions and sacrifices in the global fight against terrorism are well documented and widely recognised.'
Expressing full support for US President Donald Trump's efforts toward resolving the Kashmir dispute, he said, 'Pakistan has always supported a peaceful resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir issue, in accordance with UN Security Council resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people.'
'In this regard, we reiterate our support for President Trump's efforts aimed at resolving this dispute, which remains a source of instability in South Asia,' he added.
The spokesperson concluded by stating that, in this era, peace is the true strength. 'The world is not served by theatrical militarism and grandstanding, but by mature leadership, regional cooperation, and respect for international norms.'
He warned that Pakistan's commitment to peace must never be mistaken for weakness.
'Pakistan is a sovereign nation with resilient institutions, a committed populace, and a globally recognised role in maintaining peace and security. Any future aggression will also be met with full resolve. We hope India will prioritise regional stability and the well-being of its citizens over narrow, politically motivated jingoism,' he asserted.