India slams Pak Minister Khawaja Asif’s war remarks, calls them ‘desperate bid to cover failings’
India on Tuesday strongly rejected remarks made by Pakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Asif on water security threat, describing them as a “desperate attempt” by Islamabad to divert attention from its internal problems and alleged human rights violations.
The statement came after Khawaja Asif warned that Pakistan could consider military action if it felt its water security was threatened due to India’s handling of the Indus River system.
Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said Pakistan was attempting to shift focus through “fabricated claims” against India.
“Such remarks are desperate attempts by Pakistan to cover up its own failings and divert attention away from its human rights abuses. We categorically reject these fabricated claims with the contempt they deserve,” Jaiswal said during a press briefing.
MEA slams Pak's handling of PoK unrests
He also criticised Pakistan’s handling of protests in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), alleging that Islamabad had used force against civilians and suppressed dissent.
Jaiswal said the ongoing unrest in PoK was the result of “decades-long economic exploitation, denial of fundamental rights, and administrative oppression” by Pakistan.
He further alleged that Pakistani authorities had responded to protests with “extreme police brutality”, including blocking essential supplies and medicines, internet shutdowns, and use of lethal force against unarmed civilians.
India urges global attention on PoK situation
The MEA spokesperson urged the international community to take note of the situation and hold Pakistan accountable for its actions.
“As you know, several people have lost their lives as a result. We hope that the international community will hold Pakistan accountable for its actions, misdeeds, and human rights abuses,” he said.
Remarks follow Asif’s war warning over water security
Asif warned in a television interview that Pakistan could consider military action if it feels its water security was threatened as a result of India’s handling of the Indus River system.
“The moment we feel that our national security, and water is part of our national security, is being threatened, we will go to war against India. Definitely,” Asif said.
His remarks come amid heightened tensions over the Indus Waters Treaty, which India placed in abeyance after a deadly terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam last year.
India has maintained that the treaty will remain suspended until Pakistan takes credible and verifiable steps against cross-border terrorism.
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