India Counters Pakistan's Remarks on Kashmir at ASEAN Meeting

India has officially dismissed remarks made by Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar during an ASEAN-related meeting held in Manila. Dar brought up the Kashmir issue and the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, seeking international backing for Pakistan's position in South Asia. The Indian government, represented by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, reacted strongly to Dar's assertions.

According to External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, India categorically rejects the comments made by Dar, labelling them as "baseless and unwarranted.’’ Jaiswal highlighted that Pakistan has a history of exploiting multilateral forums to spread disinformation and divert attention from its own track record in promoting terrorism.

In his remarks, Jaiswal emphasised that the regions of Jammu and Kashmir, along with Ladakh, are integral to India and that Pakistan has no legitimate right to discuss these areas. He reiterated that India's stance on the Indus Waters Treaty remains unchanged, stating it would be "held in abeyance in response to Pakistan's continued sponsorship of cross-border terrorism," particularly referencing the Pahalgam attack in April 2025, linked to a Pakistan-based group.

Jaiswal condemned Pakistan's tendency to create misleading narratives, often cloaked in religious terminology, particularly terminology used by Pakistani officials to allege Indian involvement in terrorism. He urged Pakistan to address its internal issues rather than misusing international platforms to cast blame on its neighbours.

During the ASEAN Regional Forum, Dar argued that the Kashmir issue is central to regional instability and sought a peaceful resolution in accordance with the United Nations Charter. He described India's suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, a pact established in 1960 governing the sharing of cross-border water resources, as a violation of international responsibilities.

India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, who attended the meeting, reiterated the country’s commitment to a zero-tolerance policy towards terrorism, asserting that actions of terrorism would inevitably have consequences. The ongoing tensions related to Kashmir and the water treaty underscore the strained relations between India and Pakistan, both nuclear-armed neighbours in South Asia.

The interactions at the ASEAN meeting illustrate the complex dynamics at play in regional diplomacy and the ongoing discourse surrounding terrorism and international cooperation. As tensions persist, both nations continue to navigate a path fraught with challenges and conflicts.