Pakistan–India Tensions: Islamabad Objects to EAM S. Jaishankar’s Remarks on Pakistan Army & Terrorism
December 6–8, 2025 | India–Pakistan Relations | Diplomacy & Security | International Affairs
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By Foreign Affairs & Security Correspondent
India–Pakistan Relations, Diplomacy & Strategic Affairs Analyst
Focus: South Asia geopolitics, cross-border terrorism, foreign policy, multilateral diplomacy
A fresh diplomatic row has erupted after External Affairs Minister (EAM) Dr. S. Jaishankar said that many of India’s problems with Pakistan “emanate from the Pakistan Army”, prompting sharp condemnation from Islamabad, which termed the remarks “highly inflammatory, baseless and irresponsible”[138][139][140][141][145][147].
Speaking at the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit in New Delhi on December 6, 2025, EAM S. Jaishankar stated that a “significant share” of India’s challenges, including terrorism and ideological hostility, “stems from the Pakistan Army”. He argued that when one looks at terror training camps and long-running hostility, “it comes from the army”, and advised that India should avoid “hyphenating” itself with Pakistan, citing stark differences in capabilities and global reputation[138][144][147].
In response, on December 7 the Pakistan Foreign Office (FO) issued a strongly worded statement “categorically rejecting and condemning” Jaishankar’s comments as “highly inflammatory, baseless and irresponsible”, accusing India of running a “propaganda campaign” to malign Pakistan’s institutions, especially its armed forces[139][140][145]. Islamabad insisted that Pakistan is a “responsible state” and that its armed forces remain a “pillar of national security”, fully committed to safeguarding sovereignty and territorial integrity[139][145].
In response, on December 7 the Pakistan Foreign Office (FO) issued a strongly worded statement “categorically rejecting and condemning” Jaishankar’s comments as “highly inflammatory, baseless and irresponsible”, accusing India of running a “propaganda campaign” to malign Pakistan’s institutions, especially its armed forces[139][140][145]. Islamabad insisted that Pakistan is a “responsible state” and that its armed forces remain a “pillar of national security”, fully committed to safeguarding sovereignty and territorial integrity[139][145].
What Did Jaishankar Say? Key Remarks at HT Leadership Summit
🗣️ Core Claim: Pakistan Army as Source of Hostility
- EAM Jaishankar said that when one looks at terrorism, training camps and ideological hostility towards India, “where does that come from? It comes from the army.”[138][144][147]
- He argued that India’s “core challenges” with Pakistan are rooted in the Pakistani military establishment, which has shaped an ideology of entrenched enmity towards India[138][147].
- He remarked that there are “good terrorists and bad terrorists” in some narratives, and similarly “good military leaders and not-so-good ones” when asked about Pakistan Army chief Gen. Asim Munir[144][147].
🇮🇳 On India’s Approach & ‘Hyphenation’ With Pakistan
- Jaishankar urged that India should “not get over-obsessed and hyphenate ourselves” with Pakistan, pointing to “differentials in capabilities and reputation” between the two countries[138][144].
- He said India acts under clear “rules, norms and accountability”—to Parliament, media and civil society—and warned that comparing India’s conduct with Pakistan’s would “do ourselves an injustice”[141][144].
- On Operation Sindoor—India’s May 7–10 limited military operation targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir after the Pahalgam terror attack—he said India exercised its right to self-defence against terrorism, targeting known terror hubs while remaining accountable to democratic oversight[141][146].
🌐 Strategic Autonomy & Wider Foreign Policy Context
- Jaishankar framed his comments within India’s broader doctrine of “strategic autonomy”—maintaining independent relations with major powers, including Russia and the US, without external vetoes[138].
- He reiterated that Indian diplomacy is “about defending national interests, not about pleasing somebody else”, signalling continuity in India’s assertive foreign policy posture[138].
Pakistan’s Reaction: “Inflammatory, Baseless & Irresponsible”
📜 FO Statement from Islamabad
- Pakistan’s Foreign Office “categorically rejected and strongly condemned” Jaishankar’s remarks, calling them “highly inflammatory, baseless and irresponsible”[139][140][145].
- The FO said the comments were “misleading” and part of a “deliberate propaganda campaign” to deflect attention from what it described as India’s own “destabilising conduct” in the region[140][145].
- It asserted that Pakistan’s armed forces are professional, disciplined and a pillar of national security, fully committed to safeguarding sovereignty and territorial integrity[145].
🪖 Citing May Conflict & Operation Sindoor
- The FO referenced the four-day military exchange in May (7–10 May), following India’s Operation Sindoor air and missile strikes on terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir[141][145][146].
- Islamabad claimed the episode “vividly demonstrated” the “professionalism, restraint and resolve” of Pakistan’s armed forces in defending the country against Indian aggression in a “befitting, effective yet responsible” manner[145].
- It alleged that India was using such rhetoric to “malign Pakistan’s state institutions” and distract from its own internal issues and regional policies[145].
⚠️ Charges of Propaganda & ‘Hindutva’ Politics
- The FO accused India of running a “propaganda campaign” to defame Pakistan’s leadership and institutions, including allegations of “state-sponsored terrorism in Pakistan”[145].
- It urged India to “introspect” about internal challenges and what it termed a “fascist and revisionist Hindutva ideology”, blaming it for mob violence, lynchings, arbitrary detentions and demolitions[145].
- Pakistan reaffirmed that it believes in coexistence, dialogue and diplomacy, but warned that it remains “united and resolute” in safeguarding national interests and sovereignty[145].
Broader Context: Operation Sindoor & Long-Running Terrorism Dispute
Operation Sindoor: May 2025 Limited Conflict
- Operation Sindoor was launched on 7 May after the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 civilians. India targeted “known terrorist headquarters and infrastructure” in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir[141][146].
- The four-day exchange ended on 10 May after both sides agreed to halt operations; Indian Air Chief Marshal A. P. Singh said the strikes damaged/destroyed at least a dozen Pakistani military aircraft, including F‑16s[141].
- In his Lok Sabha statement, Jaishankar emphasised that India was exercising its right to self-defence against terrorism, would not bow to “nuclear blackmail”, and insisted there would be “no mediation”—India–Pakistan issues remain bilateral[146].
UN General Assembly & ‘Terroristan’ Episode (Background)
- Earlier in September 2025, at the UN General Assembly, Jaishankar highlighted that “major international terrorist attacks are traced back to that one country”, referring indirectly to Pakistan as an “epicentre of global terrorism”[143].
- Pakistan responded via Right of Reply, accusing India of “malicious accusations”, but India’s diplomat Rentala Srinivas countered, saying Pakistan’s reaction was an admission of “longstanding practice of cross-border terrorism” and dubbed it “Terroristan”[143].
Why This Matters: Strategic, Diplomatic & Exam Relevance
Strategic Significance
- Military–Foreign Policy Link: Jaishankar’s comments highlight how India views Pakistan’s army as the key driver of anti-India policies, not just civilian governments[138][144][147].
- Normative Positioning: India positions itself as a rules-based democracy combating terrorism, contrasting its accountability with Pakistan’s alleged support for terror groups[141][146].
- Regional Stability: Pakistan warns that “incendiary rhetoric” erodes prospects for dialogue and confidence-building, raising concerns about stability in a nuclearised region[145].
UPSC, State PCS & Banking/SSC – Key Exam Angles
- India–Pakistan Relations: History of conflict (1947, 1965, 1971, Kargil), cross-border terrorism, composite dialogue, LOC ceasefire.
- India’s Terrorism Discourse: Terms like “epicentre of terrorism”, “cross-border terrorism”, “no mediation” principle—often appear in prelims/mains questions[143][146].
- Strategic Autonomy: India balancing ties with US, Russia, EU while handling Pakistan and China—core for IR/GS‑2 papers[138].
Sample MCQs (Prelims/Banking/SSC)
- 1. According to recent remarks by EAM S. Jaishankar (Dec 2025), many of India’s security challenges with Pakistan primarily stem from: (A) Pakistan’s judiciary (B) Pakistan’s media (C) Pakistan’s army (D) Pakistan’s opposition parties
- 2. Operation Sindoor, mentioned in recent debates on India–Pakistan tensions, was related to: (A) Water-sharing dispute (B) Targeted strikes on terror infrastructure in Pakistan and PoK (C) Trade sanctions (D) UN peacekeeping
- 3. Pakistan’s Foreign Office described Jaishankar’s latest remarks as: (A) Constructive (B) Misunderstood (C) Highly inflammatory and baseless (D) Irrelevant
Mains/Descriptive Practice
- “India’s recent articulation that its core problems with Pakistan emanate from the Pakistani military establishment reflects a structural view of bilateral tensions.” Discuss.
- Critically examine how limited military operations like Operation Sindoor fit within India’s larger strategy to counter cross-border terrorism while managing escalation risks.
📝 Key Takeaways for Exams:
- ✓ Jaishankar (Dec 2025) said many of India’s problems with Pakistan “emanate from the Pakistan Army”[138][144][147].
- ✓ Pakistan’s FO “categorically rejected and condemned” these remarks as “highly inflammatory, baseless and irresponsible”[139][140][145].
- ✓ Operation Sindoor (7–10 May 2025) was India’s targeted strike on terror infrastructure in Pakistan/PoK after the Pahalgam attack[141][146].
- ✓ India reiterates “no mediation” on India–Pakistan issues; insists disputes are strictly bilateral[146].
- ✓ India frames its approach under “rules, norms and accountability”; contrasts with Pakistan’s alleged terror support[141][146].
— End of Report —
Sources:
- Indian Express, Moneycontrol, Lokmat Times, India Today, Dawn, Geo News, Pakistan Today[138][139][140][141][144][145][147].
- MEA Lok Sabha statement on Operation Sindoor & India–Pakistan policy[146].
