New Delhi, April 18: India has categorically rejected statements made by General Asim Munir, the chief of the Pakistani Army, who referred to Kashmir as Islamabad’s “jugular vein.”
While addressing a press briefing on Thursday in New Delhi regarding the comments made by the Pakistan Army chief describing Kashmir as a jugular vein, MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, “How can anything foreign be in a jugular vein? This is a union territory of India. Its only relationship with Pakistan is the vacation of illegally occupied territories by that country…”
He stated that Pakistan’s reputation as the epicenter of global terrorism will not diminish.
The MEA also reiterated that the only applicable relationship Pakistan has with the region of Jammu and Kashmir is to relinquish its illegal occupation of the territory.
“Pakistan may try very hard, but its reputation as the epicenter of global terrorism will not diminish. The extradition of Rana serves as a reminder to Pakistan that it needs to bring other perpetrators of the Mumbai terror attacks to justice, whom it continues to shield,” Jaiswal said.
General Munir’s remarks, made on Wednesday, reinforced Pakistan’s long-held stance regarding Kashmir. He stated that the region is Islamabad’s “jugular vein” and underscored that Pakistan would not forget its significance. He further defended the historical two-nation theory that was pivotal during India’s partition in 1947.
The Pakistani Army chief also addressed concerns about potential foreign investment in Pakistan, suggesting that fear of terrorism should not deter economic progress. He challenged the notion that non-state actors could undermine the security of the nation, insisting, “If the 1.3 million-strong Indian Army cannot intimidate us, do you think these terrorists can conquer the armed forces of Pakistan?”
