India Boycotts Pakistan National Day Event Again: ‘Support For Cross-Border Terrorism Biggest Roadblock To Peace'

The response of India followed after Pakistani Charge d'Affaires Saad Ahmad Warraich expressed optimism about a "new dawn" in bilateral ties, emphasising the need to foster mutual understanding.

File photo of External Affairs Ministry spokesperson.

Source : PTI

For the second year in a row, India chose to skip a national day reception hosted by the Pakistani High Commission in New Delhi, citing Islamabad’s continued support for cross-border terrorism as the "biggest obstacle" to peace.

New Delhi also criticised Pakistan for honoring controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik, who is wanted by Indian authorities, according to a report by news agency PTI.

India’s response came after Pakistani Charge d'Affaires Saad Ahmad Warraich expressed optimism about a "new dawn" in bilateral ties, emphasising the need to foster mutual understanding, address shared concerns, and resolve "long-standing disputes," including the Kashmir issue. Warraich made these remarks during the reception hosted by the Pakistani High Commission on Thursday night.

Similar to the previous year, no Indian representatives attended the event. It remains unclear whether Pakistan extended an invitation to Indian officials.

When asked whether the Pakistani High Commission had sent an invite, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said he was unaware of any such invitation. He added, "As for invitations, they depend on relationships, don't they? Acceptance of invitations depends on the nature of the relationship."

Jaiswal also referred to his statement from Tuesday, issued after Pakistan criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi over certain remarks. In that statement, he urged Pakistan to "vacate Indian territory under its illegal occupation instead of spreading lies."

"In that particular statement, we had, among other things, mentioned that the world clearly knows that the real issue is Pakistan's active promotion and sponsorship of cross-border terrorism," the spokesperson added. "In fact, this is the biggest roadblock to peace and security in the region," he also said.

India has been seeking to maintain normal neighbourly relations with Pakistan by creating a free of terror and hostility from Islamabad.

Pakistan's Hostility And Betrayal

In a recent podcast, PM Modi claimed that every attempt to maintain peace with Pakistan has always been met with hostility and betrayal. He further hoped for wisdom from Pakistan that would prevail on the leadership in Islamabad in order to improve bilateral ties.

When asked about Naik meeting former Pakistani prime minister Nawaz Sharif and his daughter, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, in Lahore earlier this week, Jaiswal said: "This is not the first time that he (Naik) has been feted in Pakistan." "And obviously, it shows the kind of approach his hosts have and what it means for us, and what it means in terms of giving so much support to a person who is wanted here," he added.

At the national day reception, Saad Ahmad Warraich highlighted that Islamabad has consistently pursued friendly relations with other nations based on the principles of "sovereign equality, mutual respect, and peaceful coexistence."

He emphasised that this approach has also guided Pakistan's efforts to establish peaceful ties with India.

"South Asia—our shared home—should progress with stable peace, equal security, and shared prosperity," Warraich stated, stressing the need for constructive engagement that focuses on collective solutions rather than imposed outcomes.

"The path of diplomacy remains more imperative than ever," he added.

Referring to the event's coincidence with the festival of Nauroze, Warraich noted that the arrival of spring has historically symbolized hope, renewal, and rejuvenation.

"A new dawn in Pakistan-India relations can emerge by enhancing mutual understanding, addressing shared concerns and resolving long-standing disputes including Jammu and Kashmir," Warraich concluded.

India-Pakistan relations have remained tense since February 2019, when Indian warplanes struck a Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorist training camp in Balakot, Pakistan, in response to the Pulwama terror attack.

Ties further worsened after India revoked Jammu and Kashmir's special status on August 5, 2019, and reorganized the state into two union territories. In response, Pakistan downgraded diplomatic relations with India.