India has issued a strong rebuttal to Pakistan after its criticism of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's remarks on Jammu and Kashmir (J-K) during a recent interview with American podcaster Lex Fridman. In the interview, which aired on Sunday, March 17, 2025, PM Modi spoke about his persistent efforts to improve relations with Pakistan, stating that every attempt for peace was met with hostility and betrayal. Modi also expressed hope that wisdom prevails upon Pakistan’s leadership to choose the path of peace.

Pakistan’s Response: Accusations and Misleading Claims

Reacting to Modi’s comments, Pakistan’s Foreign Office (FO) issued a statement, terming the remarks “misleading and one-sided.” Pakistan accused India of ignoring the Kashmir dispute and violating international commitments.

“The remarks conveniently omit the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, which remains unresolved for the last seven decades,” Pakistan’s statement read. Islamabad further alleged that India was involved in “state-sanctioned oppression” in Kashmir and claimed that Indian agencies were responsible for targeted assassinations and terror activities in foreign territories.

Pakistan reiterated that it has always advocated for “constructive engagement and dialogue”, blaming India’s “rigid approach and hegemonic ambitions” for the continued deadlock between the two nations.

India’s Sharp Rebuttal: Focus on Terrorism and Occupied Territory

In a swift and stern response, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) rejected Pakistan’s accusations, urging Islamabad to vacate Indian territories that it has illegally occupied. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal emphasized that Pakistan’s focus should be on ending terrorism rather than issuing baseless allegations.

“We note that Pakistan has once again made some comments about the Indian Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir,” Jaiswal said in response to media queries. “But the world is well aware that the real issue is Pakistan's active promotion and sponsorship of cross-border terrorism. That remains the biggest roadblock to peace and security in the region.”

Jaiswal further added, “Instead of spreading lies, Pakistan should vacate Indian territory under its illegal and forcible occupation.”

Pakistan’s Role in Cross-Border Terrorism

India has consistently highlighted Pakistan’s role in sponsoring terrorism across its borders, with repeated attacks on Indian soil traced back to Pakistan-based terror groups. Over the years, India has provided credible evidence of Pakistan’s involvement in terror activities, including the 2001 Parliament attack, the 2008 Mumbai attacks, and the 2016 Pathankot and Uri attacks.

The MEA has reiterated that Pakistan’s continued sponsorship of terrorism is the biggest obstacle to lasting peace in the region. Jaiswal’s comments underscored India’s long-standing position that normalizing ties with Pakistan can only happen after it stops supporting terrorism and vacates Indian territory.

PM Modi’s Podcast with Lex Fridman: A Reflection on Peace Efforts

During his interview with Lex Fridman, PM Modi provided insights into India’s consistent efforts to engage Pakistan diplomatically despite repeated setbacks. Modi spoke about India’s desire to establish peaceful relations with its neighbors, highlighting that “every noble attempt at fostering peace was met with hostility and betrayal.”

Modi reflected on his government’s attempts to improve ties with Pakistan, including surprise visits and behind-the-scenes negotiations aimed at building trust. However, these efforts were often thwarted by Pakistan’s unwillingness to change its course on terrorism.

“Our efforts to establish peace have always been sincere, but Pakistan has responded with hostility,” Modi remarked. He added, “We can only hope that wisdom prevails upon Pakistan’s leadership so that the people of both nations can benefit from peace and stability.”

Pakistan’s Occupation of Indian Territories

India has repeatedly called on Pakistan to vacate the territories of Jammu and Kashmir that it has illegally occupied since 1947. The region known as Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), along with Gilgit-Baltistan, remains under illegal Pakistani control despite India’s rightful claims over these territories.

In its latest response, India reaffirmed that Pakistan’s occupation of these areas violates international law and UN resolutions. “Pakistan has no locus standi to comment on Jammu and Kashmir, which is an integral part of India. It must first vacate the territories it has unlawfully occupied,” the MEA reiterated.

Tensions Remain High Since Abrogation of Article 370

Tensions between India and Pakistan have remained high since August 2019, when India abrogated Article 370 of the Constitution, revoking Jammu and Kashmir’s special status and reorganizing the region into two Union Territories — Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh.

Following this move, Pakistan downgraded diplomatic ties and suspended trade with India. Diplomatic engagements between the two countries have since remained frozen, with little progress toward resolving differences.

International Backing for India’s Stand

India’s firm stance on Kashmir and terrorism has gained support from major global powers, including the United States, France, and Japan. These nations have acknowledged India’s concerns regarding Pakistan’s support for terrorism and have repeatedly called on Islamabad to dismantle terror infrastructure operating on its soil.

India’s Commitment to Peace and Security

Despite the challenges, India has maintained that it remains committed to peace and stability in the region. However, New Delhi has made it clear that any future dialogue with Pakistan will be conditional upon Islamabad ending cross-border terrorism and vacating illegally occupied Indian territories.

As tensions persist, India’s firm response to Pakistan’s comments serves as a reminder that lasting peace can only be achieved when Pakistan abandons its policy of terrorism and respects India’s sovereignty.

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