India Urges Pakistan to Take Credible Action Against Cross-Border Terrorism

India on Tuesday said Pakistan must take credible action against cross-border terrorism before the world believes Islamabad would do what it says. Responding to questions at the Ministry of External Affairs' bi-weekly briefing, spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said Pakistan needs to demonstrate both action and a firm commitment on the issue.

Mr. Jaiswal was asked how New Delhi viewed remarks by Pakistan's Chief of Defence Forces, Field Marshal Asim Munir, who said the armed forces were determined to defeat terrorism amid a rising threat of militancy in his country. India has maintained since the Pahalgam attack last year that Islamabad should credibly and irrevocably give up its support for cross-border terrorism.

Field Marshal Munir made the comments earlier in the day during a visit to Corps Headquarters in Peshawar, where he met senior officers and was briefed on the security situation in the province, ongoing counter-terrorism operations, border management measures and the operational preparedness of deployed formations. He said the armed forces, with the nation's support, remain resolute in defeating terrorism and ensuring lasting peace and stability, and paid tribute to those who lost their lives in the fight against terrorism.

Pakistan has repeatedly asked the Taliban administration in Kabul to dismantle terrorist sanctuaries on Afghan soil, particularly those linked to the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, which it says are used for attacks on its territory. Afghanistan denies allowing its soil to be used for attacks against Pakistan.

India also strongly condemned airstrikes carried out by Pakistan in parts of Afghanistan, saying such instances of aggression against a sovereign neighbour vitiate regional peace and security. Pakistan said on Monday that its security forces struck terrorist camps and hideouts in the border region with Afghanistan, killing 28 terrorists, including multiple suicide bombers.

On reports that Pakistan had made a fresh claim regarding a recent pronouncement by a Court of Arbitration linked to the Indus Waters Treaty, Mr. Jaiswal said Pakistan habitually misrepresents facts and spreads falsehoods for malicious propaganda. He said the so-called ruling was not by the Permanent Court of Arbitration, as projected by a Pakistani minister, but by an illegally constituted court, and described it as another attempt to distort reality. India's position on the matter, he added, has been stated clearly and repeatedly.