The Pakistani government has condemned the recent remarks made by Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh, in which he appeared to confirm that India was carrying out an assassination campaign in Pakistan. The remarks, as reported by The Guardian, were described as “provocative” by the Pakistani government.
Singh’s comments followed an investigative report published by The Guardian, stating that Indian intelligence operatives had orchestrated the murders of at least 20 individuals in Pakistan since 2020. The report cited evidence provided by Pakistani security agencies and noted that Indian officers had confirmed the new policy of assassinating enemies and dissidents on foreign soil.
Singh’s remarks are significant as they mark the first time that India has acknowledged any assassinations by its operatives on foreign soil. This situation is deeply concerning, especially given that the Pakistani government had previously provided “irrefutable evidence” of India’s involvement in extrajudicial killings and transnational assassinations on Pakistani soil. Such actions are a clear violation of Pakistan’s sovereignty and a breach of the UN Charter.
Moreover, Indian-sponsored terrorist acts inside Pakistan have become increasingly sophisticated, as evidenced by the pattern observed in other countries, including Canada and the United States. In October 2023, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau cited credible evidence of a potential link between Indian agents and the murder of a Sikh separatist leader. The following month, the US Department of Justice said an Indian government official directed an unsuccessful plot to assassinate a Sikh separatist on US soil.
The Pakistani Foreign Office officially condemned what it described as “provocative remarks” made by the Indian defence minister. The Pakistani government stressed that India’s ruling dispensation “habitually resorts to hateful rhetoric to fuel hyper-nationalistic sentiments, unapologetically exploiting such discourse for electoral gains.” Such “myopic and irresponsible behaviour” not only undermines regional peace but also impairs the prospects of constructive engagement in the long term.
The situation demands swift and meaningful action from the international community to hold India accountable for its illegal actions. It is critical to bring to justice the perpetrators, facilitators, financiers, and sponsors of these extrajudicial and extraterritorial killings. India must be held accountable internationally for its blatant violation of international law.
Pakistan has always demonstrated its commitment to peace in the region. However, our desire for peace should not be misconstrued. History attests to Pakistan’s firm resolve and ability to protect and defend itself. We stand resolute in our intent and ability to safeguard our sovereignty against any act of aggression, as demonstrated by our robust response to India’s reckless incursion in February 2019, which laid bare India’s hollow claims of military superiority.
In conclusion, the situation is deeply concerning, and the international community must take swift and meaningful action to hold India accountable for its illegal actions. The future of the region depends on it.
Please, subscribe to the YouTube channel of republicpolicy.com
