INCESSANT waves of inflammatory and belligerent rhetoric from India directed towards Pakistan continue. The latest remarks by Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, threatening invasion into Pakistani territory, serve as yet another troubling reminder of the volatile state of affairs in the region. Whilst Pakistani defence forces have time and again proved their capability to respond to any aggression, such provocative language from the Indian Minister, however, underscores the urgent need for international intervention to defuse escalating tension.
It is distressingly common for Indian officials, particularly those affiliated with the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), to resort to aggressive rhetoric against Pakistan, especially during the elections. This pattern of behaviour reflects a dangerous trend where political expediency takes precedence over the imperative of maintaining regional stability. The recent history of the BJP government’s misadventures, exemplified by the 2019 escalation which saw Pakistani forces downing Indian aircraft and capturing a pilot, underscores the real risks associated with such reckless behaviour. The timing of Singh’s remarks is particularly concerning, as they coincide with mounting international scrutiny of India’s alleged involvement in extra-territorial killings. Reports by reputable sources, including Britain’s Guardian newspaper, have provided damning evidence of India’s complicity in assassinations abroad, with incidents reported in Pakistan, Canada and the United States. These revelations not only expose the extent of India’s disregard for international norms and sovereignty but also underscore the urgent need for a coordinated global response to curb such egregious violations. Our Foreign Office has rightly characterized India’s pattern of extra-judicial and extra-territorial killings as a “global phenomenon,” necessitating urgent and concerted action from the international community. The failure to hold India accountable for its actions risks emboldening it further, with potentially disastrous consequences for peace and stability in the region. It is incumbent upon the international community to exert pressure on India to cease its provocative actions and engage constructively with Pakistan to resolve outstanding issues through dialogue and diplomacy.
