In a display of desperation that surprised no one, Pakistan threw a diplomatic tantrum on Saturday over the historic India-Afghanistan joint statement issued during Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi’s landmark visit to New Delhi. Islamabad formally conveyed its reservations by summoning Afghanistan’s Ambassador to Pakistan, where the Additional Foreign Secretary (West Asia & Afghanistan) registered objections to key elements of the joint statement.
Pakistan’s primary concerns centered on the statement’s reference to Jammu and Kashmir as part of India, and Afghanistan’s commitment not to allow its territory to be used against India. The Pakistani foreign ministry argued that the Kashmir reference violates “relevant UN Security Council resolutions” and is “highly insensitive” to what Islamabad terms “Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir.”
The Predictable Kashmir Objection
Pakistan’s objection to Jammu and Kashmir being recognized as part of India comes as no surprise; it’s a position Islamabad has maintained for decades, despite India’s consistent stance that Kashmir is an integral and inalienable part of the country. The joint statement merely reflected India’s constitutional position, which has been India’s official stand since independence.
“It was conveyed that the reference to Jammu and Kashmir as part of India is in clear violation of the relevant UN Security Council resolutions and the legal status of Jammu and Kashmir. The Joint Statement is highly insensitive to the sacrifices and sentiments of the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir in their just struggle for the right to self‑determination,” Pakistani Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) said.
What Pakistan conveniently ignores is its own illegal occupation of parts of Kashmir, which it continues to hold in violation of international norms while simultaneously claiming to speak for Kashmiri aspirations.
Pakistan’s Remarkable Position On Terrorism
Perhaps more notable was Pakistan’s “strong rejection” of Afghan Foreign Minister Muttaqi’s statement that terrorism is Pakistan’s internal problem. Islamabad claimed it has repeatedly shared evidence of terrorist elements operating from Afghan soil against Pakistan, using terms like “Fitna-e-Khawarij” and “Fitna-e-Hindustan” to describe these groups.
“Pakistan has repeatedly shared details regarding the presence of Fitna‑e‑Khawarij and Fitna‑e‑Hindustan terrorist elements operating from Afghan soil against Pakistan with support from elements within Afghanistan,” Islamabad said in a statement.
The India-Afghanistan Partnership That Concerns Pakistan
What truly appears to worry Pakistan is the strengthening relationship between India and Afghanistan. The joint statement issued on October 10 during Muttaqi’s historic visit, the first high-level visit from Kabul since the Taliban took power in August 2021, reflects a significant diplomatic development.
The statement condemned terrorism emanating from regional countries (a clear reference to Pakistan), affirmed respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, and crucially, committed that Afghanistan would not permit any group or individual to use Afghan territory against India.
During the visit, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar also announced that India would upgrade its Technical Mission in Kabul to full Embassy status, signaling New Delhi’s long-term commitment to Afghanistan.