Desk:India responded sharply on Thursday to Pakistan’s Army Chief General Asim Munir for raising the two-nation theory and the Kashmir issue. Addressing the media, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randeep Jaiswal stated that the only connection between Kashmir and Pakistan is the need to vacate the illegally occupied territory. General Munir had emphasized the two-nation theory, asserting that India and Pakistan are two separate nations.
In his speech at the Overseas Pakistani Convention in Islamabad on Wednesday, Munir urged Pakistani citizens to teach their children about the origins of their nation. He said, “… our ancestors believed that we were different from Hindus in every possible aspect of life. Our religion, customs, traditions, ideas, and aspirations were all different. This is where the foundation of the two-nation theory was laid. We are two nations, not one.”
During his speech, Munir also raised the Kashmir issue, stating that no force in the world could separate Kashmir from Pakistan. He emphasized, “Our ancestors made great sacrifices for the creation of this country, and we know how to defend it.” He further added, “My dear brothers, sisters, sons, and daughters, please do not forget the story of Pakistan and make sure you pass it on to the next generation, so that their bond with Pakistan remains unbroken, whether it is the third, fourth, or fifth generation, so that they know what Pakistan means to them.”
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma also strongly reacted to General Munir’s recent comments, stating that it is time for India to accept the truth and abandon hopes of fostering closer ties with Pakistan. On the social media platform ‘X,’ the Chief Minister wrote, “In his recent address, Pakistan’s Army Chief General Asim Munir made it clear that there is a deep ideological divide between India and Pakistan.” He further stated, “It is now clear that our paths are different. It is our duty to strengthen our nation, preserve our religious and civilizational values. Only by doing so can we elevate our country to new heights.”