On Tuesday, India firmly dismissed Pakistan's criticism regarding Prime Minister Narendra Modi's comments on peace initiatives during a conversation with American podcaster Lex Fridman. India’s response comes a day after the Pakistani regime called PM Modi’s peace efforts 'misleading and one-sided'.
In an official statement, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal identified Pakistan as the chief obstacle to regional peace and security, also accusing Islamabad of spreading falsehoods. The ministry's statement also demanded Pakistan to vacate Indian territories unlawfully and forcibly occupied by them.
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Pakistan: An Obstacle to Peace and Security?
Without directly referencing criticisms about Jammu and Kashmir, Jaiswal said, "We've observed once again that Pakistan has made comments regarding the Indian Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. The world knows the real issue is Pakistan's cross-border terrorism and its support. This indeed is the greatest obstacle to regional peace and security."
Tulsi Gabbard Mentioned Terrorism!
India's strong reaction coincided with U.S. Intelligence Chief Tulsi Gabbard's interview with ANI, where she explicitly mentioned 'Islamist terrorism' when discussing attacks supported by Pakistan. She stated that 'Islamist terrorism' is a menace affecting India, the U.S., and multiple Middle Eastern countries.
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During the meeting with Gabbard, Prime Minister Modi expressed India's commitment to combating terrorism and enhancing cooperation in maritime and cyber security with the U.S. He explored numerous avenues of collaboration against terrorism with Gabbard.
