New Delhi:
India has rubbished comments by the Pakistani army chief who claimed Kashmir was Islamabad’s “jugular vein”. In a strongly worded statement, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) told reporters that Pakistan’s “only relationship with Kashmir” is to vacate the illegally occupied territory.
“How can anything foreign be in a jugular vein? This is a Union Territory of India. Its only relationship with Pakistan is the vacation of illegally occupied territories by that country,” MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said.
Addressing a gathering of Pakistanis based abroad, Pakistan’s army chief General Asim Munir said they were the country’s ambassadors and must not forget that they belong to a “superior ideology and culture”.
“You should definitely tell Pakistan’s story to your children. Our forefathers thought that we are different from the Hindus in every aspect of life. Our religions, our customs, traditions, thoughts and ambitions are different. That was the foundation of the two-nation theory that was laid,” General Munir said.
Speaking about Kashmir, General Munir said, “Our stance is absolutely clear, it was our jugular vein, it will be our jugular vein, we will not forget it. We will not leave our Kashmiri brothers in their heroic struggle.”
For a country where the army leadership often juggles politics, General Munir’s remarks set the tone for Islamabad’s stand on several issues, especially its approach to relations with India.
He reinforces the two-nation theory, underlining a sense of belonging for Pakistanis to foster a sense of national unity at a challenging time for the country. His remarks also position the armed forces as the defender of Pakistan’s Islamic identity and sovereignty.
The Kashmir comments make it clear the issue remains at the heart of the India-Pakistan conflict and that Islamabad has no plans to soften its stance.
The anti-India sentiment in the Pakistani General’s remarks could potentially deepen the hostility between the two countries.
