By Staff Reporter
ISLAMABAD: The Foreign Office on Sunday sharply condemned remarks by India’s defence minister, Rajnath Singh, who suggested that the province of Sindh might one day return to Indian control, calling the comments “delusional and dangerously revisionist” and a reflection of an “expansionist Hindutva mindset.”
The rebuke highlighted the fragile state of relations between the two nuclear-armed neighbours, which have deteriorated since a four-day military clash in May that killed dozens and involved fighter jets, missiles, artillery and drones. That conflict, the most serious in decades, erupted after an attack on tourists in occupied Kashmir, which New Delhi blamed on Pakistan without providing evidence, an accusation Islamabad has denied, describing India’s account as “replete with fabrications.”
Singh’s statements, reported by Indian media outlets, came during an event in Delhi organised by the Sindhi community, known as the Sindhi Samaj Sammelan. “Today, the land of Sindh may not be a part of India, but civilisationally, Sindh will always be a part of India,” he was quoted as saying. “And as far as land is concerned, borders can change. Who knows, tomorrow Sindh may return to India again.”
He also maintained that Sindhi Hindus from his generation never fully accepted the province’s accession to Pakistan after the 1947 partition of British India. Such references to Sindh have periodically surfaced in Indian political discourse, often amid domestic events or escalating bilateral strains, potentially aimed at rallying support by emphasising cultural and historical ties.
In its statement, the Foreign Office said Singh’s words challenged “established realities” and violated “international law, the inviolability of recognised borders, and the sovereignty of states.” “We urge Mr Rajnath Singh and other Indian leaders to refrain from provocative rhetoric that threatens regional peace and stability,” the statement said. “It would be far more constructive for the Government of India to focus on ensuring the security of its own citizens, particularly vulnerable minority communities. It should hold accountable those who incite or perpetrate violence against them and address discrimination rooted in faith-based prejudice and historical distortions.”
The Foreign Office also pointed to unrest in India’s northeast, where it said peoples “continue to face systematic marginalisation, identity-based persecution, and cycles of state-enabled violence.” It called on New Delhi to pursue a “genuine resolution” of the Kashmir dispute “in accordance with UN Security Council resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people under occupation.” “Pakistan remains committed to [a] peaceful resolution of all disputes with India on the basis of justice, equity and established international legal norms,” the statement added. “At the same time, as in the past, Pakistan is firmly resolved to safeguard its security, national independence and sovereignty.”
The May conflict ended with a ceasefire, but both sides have since traded accusations and warnings. Pakistan initially claimed to have downed six Indian fighter jets, including a French-made Rafale, later raising the tally to seven. India acknowledged “some losses” but rejected the higher figure. In early October, Pakistan’s military, through its Inter-Services Public Relations arm, cautioned that further hostilities could result in “cataclysmic devastation” and that Islamabad would respond “resolutely, without any qualms or restraints.” That came after statements from Indian leaders, including Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi, who said Pakistan must “stop state-sponsored terrorism if it wants to retain its place on the map.”
Indian Air Force Chief Amar Preet Singh claimed, without evidence, that his forces had “downed five Pakistani fighter jets of the F-16 and JF-17 class” in May. For his part, Singh declared in a speech: “Our soldiers have both weapons and high morale. No challenge can stand before us. Whether it is terrorism or any other kind of problem, we have the capability to deal with and defeat them all.”
The Foreign Office also addressed violence in the Middle East, condemning fresh Israeli strikes on Gaza as “blatant violations” of international law and calling on global powers to enforce a fragile ceasefire. Palestinian health officials reported at least 24 people killed and 54 wounded, including children, in attacks on Saturday. Israel said the strikes targeted Hamas fighters, without offering evidence. The violence followed similar strikes earlier in the week that killed at least 33 Palestinians, mostly women and children, over a 12-hour period on Wednesday and Thursday. It came days after the United Nations Security Council endorsed a US plan for Gaza’s security and governance, authorising an international stabilization force, a transitional authority overseen by President Donald J. Trump, and a potential path to Palestinian statehood.
“Pakistan condemns, in the strongest possible terms, the attacks by Israeli occupying forces across Gaza, which have reportedly resulted in the deaths of several Palestinian civilians, including women and children, and have left many more wounded,” a Foreign Office spokesperson said. He added that the assaults violated “international law, relevant United Nations resolutions and the recently concluded peace agreement at Sharm el-Sheikh,” undermining efforts for “lasting peace and stability in the region.”
“The Government of Pakistan reiterates its call upon the international community to take immediate steps to end Israeli impunity and ceasefire violations, and to uphold international human rights and humanitarian law,” the spokesperson said. Pakistan, which does not recognise Israel diplomatically, has consistently criticised its military actions in Gaza since the war began on Oct. 7, 2023. The Gaza Health Ministry reports over 69,000 Palestinians killed, many women and children, with the toll rising during the ceasefire due to new strikes and the recovery of earlier victims.
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