New Delhi: India on Friday reiterated its strong stance against Pakistan, accusing it of continued support for cross-border terrorism, while also sharply condemning recent airstrikes carried out from Pakistan into Afghanistan, which resulted in the deaths of several civilians, including women and children.
During a press briefing in the national capital, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson said India’s position remains firm and unchanged on the issue. He stated that the Indus Waters Treaty has been kept in abeyance in response to Pakistan’s continued sponsorship of cross-border terrorism, adding that Pakistan must “credibly and irrevocably” end its support for such activities.
Meanwhile, India and Japan on Thursday issued a strong joint statement condemning cross-border terrorism originating from Pakistan. The two sides called for urgent global action to dismantle terror networks operating with state support and to shut down safe havens and financing channels.
Following talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, both leaders adopted a unified stance on the growing threat of terrorism in South Asia. The statement specifically urged decisive international action against UN-designated terrorist groups, including Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), Al Qaeda, and ISIS.
The leaders emphasized the need to eliminate terrorist safe havens, disrupt the nexus between terror financing and transnational crime, and prevent cross-border movement of terrorists.
Addressing questions on Pakistan’s military strikes in Afghanistan, the MEA spokesperson reaffirmed India’s support for Afghanistan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. He said India had strongly condemned the airstrikes that led to civilian casualties and expressed condolences for the loss of lives.
India also highlighted its ongoing humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan, including the supply of medicines and support for development projects aimed at improving the lives of ordinary citizens.
Reports indicate that Pakistan carried out cross-border airstrikes in Afghanistan’s eastern provinces of Paktia, Paktika, and Kunar, causing significant civilian casualties and destruction.
According to Taliban government deputy spokesperson Hamdullah Fitrat, 36 civilians, including women and children, were killed and 163 others injured in the strikes. Three residential houses were also completely destroyed, he said.
