Such statements reveal an expansionist Hindutva mentality that defies realities and violates international law, says FO
The Ministry of External Affairs on Sunday strongly condemned Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh’s recent remarks regarding Sindh, calling them “delusional” and “dangerously revisionist” and reflecting an “expansionist Hindutva mentality”.
In a sharply worded statement, FO said the remarks aimed to challenge “established realities” and violated “the inviolability of recognized borders and the sovereignty of states”. He added that “such statements reveal an expansionist Hindutva mentality that seeks to challenge established realities and is a blatant violation of international law.”
FO urged Rajnath Singh and other Indian leaders to refrain from provocative rhetoric, stressing that such remarks threaten regional stability. “Indian leaders should refrain from provocative rhetoric that threatens regional peace and stability. It would be far more constructive if the Indian government focused on ensuring the security of its own citizens, especially vulnerable minority communities,” the statement said.
Read: Pakistan condemns Israeli attacks killing civilians in Gaza
He added that New Delhi should hold accountable those responsible for inciting or committing violence and combat discrimination based on “religious bias and historical distortions.”
Rajnath Singh, addressing an event organized by the Sindhi community, said on Sunday that “borders can change”, further clarifying that “one day Sindh could join India”.
He also said, “Advani ji wrote in one of his books that Sindhi Hindus, especially those of his generation, have still not accepted the issue of separation of Sindh from India. »
Without naming the book, Singh added: “Not only in Sindh, but throughout India, Hindus considered the river Indus (Sindhu in Hindi) to be sacred. Many Muslims in Sindh also believed that the water of the Indus was no less sacred than the Aab-e-Zamzam (holiest of waters) of Mecca.”
FO responded by highlighting that India also faces long-standing grievances in the northeast, where communities “continue to face marginalization, identity-based persecution and cycles of state-enabled violence.”
Read also: PML-N takes big lead in bypolls as unofficial results pour in
Reiterating its stance on Kashmir, FO called on India to take credible steps to resolve the Jammu and Kashmir dispute “in accordance with the UN Security Council resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people.”
Pakistan, he said, remains committed to peaceful resolution of disputes based on “justice, fairness and established international legal norms”, while reaffirming that the country is fully committed to safeguarding its national security, independence and sovereignty.
