ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Wednesday criticized Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar for 鈥減roducing bellicose punchlines鈥� after he made a series of statements during his visit to Brussels, accusing Islamabad of sponsoring 鈥渢errorism鈥� and asserting New Delhi reserved the right to retaliate against militant attacks.
The comments come in the wake of a recent military standoff between the nuclear-armed neighbors, involving the exchange of fighter jets, drones, missiles and artillery fire. Both countries have since launched parallel diplomatic offensives, dispatching delegations to major world capitals to present their versions of events.
New Delhi suspended a longstanding river water-sharing treaty following a gun attack on tourists in Indian-administered Kashmir that it blamed on Pakistan. Islamabad denied any involvement, calling for an impartial international probe before India decided to launch missiles to target what it called was 鈥渢errorist infrastructure鈥� in Pakistan.
A US-brokered ceasefire was announced by President Donald Trump on May 10, followed by Pakistan鈥檚 call for a 鈥渃omposite dialogue鈥� with its neighboring state which New Delhi has so far resisted.
鈥淧akistan categorically rejects the irresponsible remarks made by the External Affairs Minister of India during different media engagements in Brussels,鈥� the foreign office said in a strongly worded statement.
鈥淭he discourse of top diplomats should aim to promote peace and harmony, rather than producing bellicose punchlines,鈥� it continued. 鈥淭he tone and tenor of a Foreign Minister should be commensurate with his dignified status.鈥�
The ministry accused India of waging a years-long 鈥渕alicious campaign鈥� aimed at misleading the global community with a 鈥渇ictitious narrative of victimhood,鈥� adding that such rhetoric cannot conceal what it described as India鈥檚 own 鈥渟ponsorship of terrorism beyond its borders鈥� or its 鈥渟tate-sanctioned oppression鈥� in Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir.
鈥淚ndia must also desist from concocting misleading narratives to justify its recent aggressive actions,鈥� the statement said. 鈥淧akistan believes in peaceful coexistence, dialogue and diplomacy. However, it stands resolute in its intent and ability to safeguard its sovereignty against any aggression, as exemplified by its robust response to India鈥檚 reckless strikes last month.鈥�
Calling India鈥檚 recent remarks a sign of 鈥渟heer frustration鈥� after what it termed an 鈥渦nsuccessful military adventure,鈥� Islamabad said Indian leaders should focus on improving the quality of their discourse rather than remaining 鈥渙bsessed with Pakistan.鈥�
鈥淭he history will judge not by who shouted the loudest but by who acted the wisest,鈥� it added.