Pakistan on Thursday termed remarks by S. Jaishankar as “undiplomatic,” a day after he criticised Islamabad’s role in indirect talks between Iran and the United States (US).
The Foreign Office (FO) stated that the language used by the Indian minister reflected frustration.
During a weekly briefing, a spokesperson noted that such rhetoric “betrays a deeper sense of frustration”.
“When arguments run thin, invective appears to fill the gap. Pakistan does not subscribe to such megaphone theatrics. Our approach is anchored in restraint, decorum and not in rhetorical excesses,” the spokesperson said.
A day earlier, Jaishankar had stated that India cannot act as a ‘dalaal’ nation in global geopolitics, using a term considered derogatory in South Asia while responding to criticism over Pakistan’s role in facilitating dialogue in the Middle East.
In India, the Indian National Congress also criticised the government over the remarks.
Party leader Jairam Ramesh said that Jaishankar was attempting to cover up what he described as a setback to India’s regional diplomacy following Pakistan’s emergence in a mediating role.
He argued that Pakistan being considered for mediation reflects on India’s diplomatic approach under Narendra Modi.
Ramesh further stated that Pakistan had previously faced isolation after the 2008 Mumbai attacks, but its current role indicates a shift in regional dynamics.
“The External Affairs Minister said last night that India is not a broker country. Be that as it may, the fact remains that the colossal failures in our diplomacy, outreach and narrative management have made a broken country a broker country,” he said.
In a separate statement, Congress leader Pawan Khera questioned the government’s position, referring to past attempts by India to mediate in international conflicts.
The Indian government, during an all-party meeting, stated that Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi had conveyed to US leadership that the conflict in West Asia should end.
Officials maintained that India has been responding to developments and remains focused on the safety of its citizens in the Gulf region and its energy requirements.
Opposition members, however, termed the government’s response unsatisfactory and called for a debate in parliament on the situation.
