Pakistan Protests India-Afghan Statement, Cites Kashmir

In a significant diplomatic maneuver, Pakistan has summoned the Afghan Ambassador to protest key aspects of a joint statement released following Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi’s visit to India. This action underscores Pakistan’s apprehension as India and Afghanistan strengthen their bilateral relations. Pakistan’s primary objections revolved around the joint statement’s affirmation of Jammu and Kashmir as Indian territory and Afghanistan’s commitment to preventing its soil from being used for anti-India activities. Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the mention of Jammu and Kashmir as part of India violates UN Security Council resolutions and is insensitive to the aspirations of the people in the region. This stance, however, overlooks Pakistan’s own role in the region. Furthermore, Pakistan voiced strong disagreement with Minister Muttaqi’s statement characterizing terrorism as an internal Pakistani issue. Islamabad claims to have evidence of terrorist elements operating from Afghanistan against Pakistan. The burgeoning India-Afghanistan relationship, symbolized by the joint statement and India’s decision to upgrade its technical mission in Kabul to an embassy, signifies a strategic shift that Pakistan appears keen to counter.