India has called on Pakistan to demonstrate concrete action against cross-border terrorism, hours after Pakistan Army chief and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Asim Munir reiterated his military’s commitment to defeating terrorism. Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said on Tuesday that Pakistan would need to show a firm commitment through action before its assurances could gain greater credibility internationally. The remarks came amid renewed tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan following Pakistani airstrikes in Afghanistan’s Kunar and Paktika provinces.
Pakistan’s cross-border terrorism remarks draw response from India
Jaiswal was responding to Munir’s remarks during a visit to Corps Headquarters in Peshawar. According to Pakistan’s military media wing, Munir was briefed on the security situation in the province, ongoing counter-terrorism operations, border management measures and the operational preparedness of formations deployed there.
The Pakistani military said Munir emphasised the armed forces’ determination to defeat terrorism and ensure lasting peace and stability in the country.
Responding to the statement, Jaiswal said Pakistan needs to demonstrate both action and a firm commitment against terrorism. He specifically called for credible action on Pakistan’s cross-border terrorism before the international community accepts Islamabad’s stated intentions.
India has repeatedly raised concerns about cross-border terrorism emanating from Pakistan. The issue has remained a central point of disagreement between the two countries, with New Delhi maintaining that Pakistan must take verifiable steps against terrorist networks operating from territory under its control.
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Pakistan’s cross-border terrorism issue comes amid Afghanistan strikes
The latest exchange between New Delhi and Islamabad came against the backdrop of escalating tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Pakistan carried out airstrikes in Afghanistan’s Kunar and Paktika provinces on September 21. Islamabad said the operation targeted militant groups and reported that 28 militants had been killed. Afghan authorities, however, reported civilian casualties, while the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan confirmed that three civilians, including a man, a woman and a girl, were killed.
India separately condemned the Pakistani strikes. Jaiswal said attacks against a sovereign neighbour were contrary to regional peace and security and reaffirmed India’s support for Afghanistan’s independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.
Pakistan has maintained that militant groups operating from Afghan territory pose a security threat to the country. Afghan authorities have rejected accusations that they are allowing their territory to be used for attacks against Pakistan.
The dispute has added another layer to the wider regional security situation, even as India continues to raise its own concerns over Pakistan’s cross-border terrorism.
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Pakistan’s cross-border terrorism remains a key Indian concern
India’s latest statement reflects a longstanding position that declarations against terrorism need to be accompanied by demonstrable measures. The MEA has previously said that Pakistan must take credible, irreversible, and verifiable action against cross-border terrorism.
The issue has repeatedly affected India-Pakistan relations, including efforts to improve bilateral ties. New Delhi has maintained that progress on normal relations is linked to the security environment and the absence of terrorism and violence directed against India.
At the same time, the immediate diplomatic exchange does not establish whether Pakistan’s current counter-terrorism operations will result in any change in the security situation along its borders. Pakistan has publicly maintained that its armed forces are conducting operations against militant groups and has pointed to attacks inside the country as the reason for its security measures.
For now, Pakistan’s cross-border terrorism remains a central issue in India’s public diplomatic messaging towards Islamabad. The latest remarks also come as Pakistan faces a separate security challenge along its western border, where tensions with Afghanistan have intensified following the recent airstrikes and competing allegations over militant activity.