Pakistan Condemns Indian Minister’s ‘Strike’ Rhetoric

Nuclear Powers Trade Accusations Amidst Lingering Tensions

Escalating tensions between Pakistan and India have reignited following remarks by Indian External Affairs Minister **Subhramanyam Jaishankar** suggesting India reserves the right to conduct strikes within Pakistan. The comments prompted a sharp rebuke from Islamabad, which accused New Delhi of employing aggressive rhetoric to deflect from past failures.

Diplomatic Clash Intensifies

The Foreign Office (FO) of Pakistan strongly criticized **Jaishankar’s** statements, labeling them as “bellicose punchlines” indicative of “sheer frustration following an unsuccessful military adventure.” The FO asserted that a foreign minister’s conduct should prioritize peace and harmony, rather than inflammatory language.

When PM @narendramodi says ‘Operation Sindoor’ is not over, it is a clear message that we reserve the right to go after terrorists anytime, anywhere if they have done harm to us. https://t.co/9wJ9w1qQ9q

— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) January 23, 2024

“The tone and tenor of a foreign minister should be commensurate with his dignified status.”

—Pakistani Foreign Office Spokesperson

According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), global military expenditure reached $2.44 trillion in 2023, a 6.8% increase in real terms from 2022, highlighting a worldwide trend towards increased defense spending. SIPRI Military Expenditure Report 2024

Accusations and Counter-Accusations

Pakistan’s FO accused India of running a “malicious campaign” to portray itself as a victim, while simultaneously alleging India’s support for terrorism and oppression in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir. Islamabad urged New Delhi to “introspect on its own involvement in terrorism, subversion and targeted assassinations.”

Pakistan reaffirmed its commitment to peaceful coexistence but vowed to defend its sovereignty against any aggression, referencing last month’s conflict. The FO stated that “History will judge not by who shouted the loudest, but by who acted the wisest.”

Political Reactions

Senator **Sherry Rehman** of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) described India as a “belligerent power spinning out of control” in response to **Jaishankar’s** remarks. She emphasized that Pakistan cannot be held responsible for all attacks within India, given the presence of numerous insurgencies.

The current dispute stems from the Pahalgam attack in occupied Kashmir, where 26 tourists were killed. India, without providing evidence, blamed Pakistan, a claim strongly denied by Islamabad, which proposed a neutral investigation. This led to a four-day conflict that was ultimately resolved through a US-brokered ceasefire on May 10.

Pakistan recently initiated a global engagement campaign to present its perspective on the conflict and counter what it considers to be New Delhi’s unsubstantiated allegations. A delegation, including **Sherry Rehman**, has visited the United States, London, and is currently in Brussels.