Pakistan has summoned Afghanistan’s Ambassador to express concerns over a joint statement issued during Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi’s recent visit to New Delhi. This move comes amid growing India-Afghanistan relations, highlighting Islamabad’s discomfort with the deepening ties. The core of Pakistan’s objection lies in the joint statement’s explicit reference to Jammu and Kashmir as part of India and Afghanistan’s pledge not to allow its territory to be used against India. Islamabad argued that the Kashmir reference contravenes UN Security Council resolutions and is insensitive to the situation in the region. This objection reiterates Pakistan’s long-standing stance on Kashmir, despite India’s consistent position that the territory is an integral part of the nation. The joint statement simply reflected India’s constitutional reality. Adding to the diplomatic friction, Pakistan also rejected Afghan Foreign Minister Muttaqi’s assertion that terrorism is an internal Pakistani problem, with Islamabad claiming it has provided evidence of terrorist groups operating from Afghan soil against Pakistan. The strengthening partnership between India and Afghanistan, marked by the commitment to combat terrorism and respect territorial integrity, is a significant development that clearly concerns Pakistan.
