India has strongly rejected Pakistan’s observance of Youm-e-Istehsal, describing it as a propaganda exercise directed at India. The Indian government said the campaign was intended to divert attention from Pakistan’s own alleged human rights violations and links to terrorism.
The criticism came as Pakistan used the occasion to condemn India’s position on Jammu and Kashmir. New Delhi dismissed those claims and maintained that its constitutional changes in the region were carried out within India’s sovereign and constitutional framework.
India’s response framed Pakistan’s statements as an attempt to internationalise an issue it considers an internal matter. The government also argued that Islamabad should address allegations concerning abuses and terrorism connections rather than focus attention on India.
The exchange highlights the continuing political dispute between the two neighbours over Jammu and Kashmir, with both sides presenting sharply different accounts of the region’s status and rights situation.
