Kashmir’s only relation with Pakistan is to vacate illegally occupied territories: MEA

Responding to Pakistan Army Chief General Asim Munir’s recent remarks on Kashmir being a “jugular vein,” the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Thursday firmly stated that the only relationship Pakistan has with Kashmir is to vacate the territories of Jammu and Kashmir it has illegally occupied.

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, addressing media queries on General Munir’s statement, said, “This (Jammu & Kashmir) is a Union Territory of India. Its only relationship with Pakistan is the vacation of illegally occupied territories by the country.”

On Wednesday, General Asim Munir, while addressing overseas Pakistanis, had claimed that Kashmir is Islamabad’s “jugular vein” and “will remain so,” adding that Pakistan “won’t forget it.” He also defended the two-nation theory, which was the foundation of the 1947 Partition.

General Munir further said that some people fear Pakistan may not receive investment due to terrorism concerns.

“Do you think terrorists can take away the destiny of the country? The 1.3 million-strong Indian Army, with all its wherewithal—if they cannot intimidate us—do you think these terrorists can subdue the armed forces of Pakistan?”

Stressing his point, General Munir added, “India and Pakistan are two nations. We are not one nation. That is why our forefathers struggled to create this country. Our forefathers and we have sacrificed a lot for the creation of this country. We know how to defend it.”

India