In a recent address at the Pakistan Naval Academy in Karachi, Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir stoked tensions with India by framing terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir as a “legitimate and lawful struggle.” His comments come on the heels of a brief yet intense military standoff known as Operation Sindoor, raising concerns about the ongoing conflict between the neighboring countries.
During his speech, Munir asserted, “What India labels as terrorism is, in fact, a legitimate and lawful struggle for freedom, recognised by international law.” This assertion underscores Pakistan’s long-standing support for the Kashmiri separatist movement, a stance that Pakistan argues has gained relevance due to ongoing attempts to suppress it.
Munir’s statements serve as a continuation of his use of diplomatic platforms to signal support for anti-India elements in Kashmir. This perspective stands in stark contrast to India’s consistent position that Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh are integral parts of the nation, with New Delhi accusing Pakistan of sponsoring cross-border terrorism as a major barrier to achieving peace.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs has been steadfast in condemning Pakistan’s rhetoric and actions, labeling them as a blatant encouragement of terrorism disguised as a pursuit of self-determination. Relations between the two countries have soured significantly since India revoked Article 370 on August 5, 2019, which originally granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir, subsequently reorganizing it into two Union Territories.
In his remarks, Munir emphasized that Pakistan had proven to be a “net regional stabiliser,” referencing its response to India’s Balakot airstrike in 2019, as well as the recent Indian precision strikes during Operation Sindoor following a terror attack in Pahalgam. He claimed Pakistan maintained “restraint and maturity,” while simultaneously pledging a “swift and befitting response” to any missteps from India.
Interestingly, while condemning Indian policies regarding Kashmir, Munir reiterated Pakistan’s official stance on opposing terrorism in all forms. He assured that the armed forces would continue their fight against terrorism “to its logical conclusion.” However, this stance seems contradictory, as it positions support for what India deems terrorism alongside a commitment to combat it globally.
Expectedly, these remarks are likely to incite strong diplomatic reactions from New Delhi, which has repeatedly cautioned Islamabad against utilizing terrorism as an instrument of state policy. As tensions continue to simmer, the implications of Munir’s statements may further complicate the already fragile relationship between the two nuclear-armed neighbors.
