India has strongly condemned Pakistan’s airstrikes on Afghanistan in its Kunar and Paktika provinces. Addressing media in New Delhi this evening, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said such instances of aggression against a sovereign neighbour go against regional peace and security. He reaffirmed New Delhi’s steadfast support for Afghanistan, its independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, as also for the welfare and well-being of its people. The spokesperson offered condolences on the civilian lives lost in the airstrikes and wished for speedy recovery of the injured.

On Pakistan’s Field Marshal Asim Munir’s statement that Pakistan’s armed forces remain determined to defeat terrorism, Mr Jaiswal said Pakistan needs to demonstrate action and firm commitment. He stated that Islamabad must take credible action against cross-border terrorism before the world believes in what they say.

On Pakistan’s ruling by the Court of Arbitration on Indus Water Treaty, Mr Jasiwal said the so-called ruling is not a ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration, as sought to be projected by Pakistan, but by an illegally constituted Court. He said India sees this as just one more attempt by Pakistan at distorting the reality. He stated that Pakistan has a habit of misrepresenting facts and propagating falsehoods to serve its malicious propaganda.

Replying to another query, the spokesperson informed that External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar met with his Ukrainian counterpart yesterday. In this meeting, Dr Jaishankar discussed the recent developments in the Russia-Ukraine conflict. The External Affairs Minister once again put forth India’s point that dialogue and diplomacy is the way forward for peaceful resolution. The spokesperson added that India is in touch with both sides and have told them that India is ready to contribute in any way that it can. He expressed India’s hope that there will be a peaceful resolution of the conflict through dialogue and diplomacy.

On India-Bangladesh ties, Mr Jaiswal said that India desires a positive, constructive and forward-looking relationship with Bangladesh. He said New Delhi is ready to discuss all bilateral issues within the structured mechanisms.