MEA Says Only Link with Pakistan Is to Vacate Illegally Occupied Areas of J&K
Asim Munir Kashmir remark: In a sharp and unequivocal response, India has slammed Pakistan Army Chief General Asim Munir over his controversial remarks calling Kashmir Pakistan’s “jugular vein.” The Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) strongly rebutted the comment, asserting that the only connection Pakistan has with Jammu and Kashmir is to vacate the territories it illegally occupies.
Speaking at a weekly press briefing, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal clarified, “This (Jammu and Kashmir) is a Union Territory of India. Its only relationship with Pakistan is the vacation of illegally occupied territories by the country.” His statement comes a day after General Munir, while addressing overseas Pakistanis, reiterated Islamabad’s long-standing claim over Kashmir, calling it the “jugular vein” of Pakistan.
General Asim Munir also defended the two-nation theory — the ideological basis for the 1947 Partition — and suggested that terrorism fears should not deter foreign investments in Pakistan. “Do you think terrorists can take away the destiny of the country? The 1.3 million-strong Indian Army, with all its wherewithal—if they cannot intimidate us—do you think these terrorists can subdue the armed forces of Pakistan?” he said.
He added, “India and Pakistan are two nations. We are not one nation. That is why our forefathers struggled to create this country. We know how to defend it.”
However, India’s response underscores its firm position that Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of the nation and any attempts to distort this reality will be strongly countered. Officials in New Delhi have repeatedly emphasized that Pakistan must stop supporting cross-border terrorism and dismantle the terror infrastructure operating from its soil, instead of indulging in provocative rhetoric.
What’s at Stake?
General Munir’s remarks reflect Islamabad’s persistent narrative on Kashmir, but they also highlight growing frustration within Pakistan’s military establishment amidst deepening economic, political, and security crises. India, meanwhile, continues to maintain that the entire Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, including Pakistan-occupied areas like Gilgit-Baltistan and Mirpur-Muzaffarabad, is an inseparable part of the country.
India’s firm rebuttal serves as a reminder that New Delhi will not allow Pakistan’s outdated narratives to cloud international discourse on Kashmir. The world is increasingly viewing Jammu and Kashmir through the lens of development, democracy, and security, rather than through the prism of decades-old propaganda.
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