'A clear violation of UNSC resolutions': Pakistan expresses 'reservations' to J&K reference in India-Afghan joint statement

In the first high-level diplomatic engagement since the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan in 2021, Muttaqi visited India and met S Jaishankar in New Delhi on Friday.

Days after India and Afghanistan issued a joint statement in an effort to improve bilateral relations, Pakistan expressed "strong reservations" to some elements of the statement, and to remarks by Taliban foreign minister Amir Khan Muttaqi during his visit to New Delhi.

The Pakistan foreign ministry criticised the mention of Jammu and Kashmir as part of India in the joint statement, calling it “a clear violation of relevant UN Security Council resolutions.” Pakistan said that the "reservations" were conveyed to the Additional Foreign Secretary (West Asia & Afghanistan).

Islamabad's reaction came after India and Afghanistan issued a joint statement on October 10, following discussions between External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar and Muttaqi on a range of bilateral and regional issues.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar expressed his deep appreciation to Afghanistan for its strong condemnation of the 22 April terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, India, as well as for the sincere condolences and solidarity expressed with the people and Government of India. Both sides unequivocally condemned all acts of terrorism emanating from regional countries. They underscored the importance of promoting peace, stability, and mutual trust in the region.

Meanwhile, Islamabad has conveyed its reservations to Afghanistan's Ambassador in Islamabad over "elements of the India-Afghanistan joint statement."

"Pakistan has repeatedly shared details regarding the presence of Fitna-e-Khawarij and Fitna-e-Hindustan terrorist elements operating from Afghan soil against Pakistan with support from elements within Afghanistan," Islamabad's readout read, adding that the interim Afghan government can't absolve its obligations towards ensuring peace while deflecting the responsibility of controlling terrorism towards Pakistan.

In the first high-level diplomatic engagement since the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan in 2021, Muttaqi visited India and met S Jaishankar in New Delhi on Friday. The Taliban minister had assured that Afghanistan would not allow any group to use its territory against another country, and both India and Afghanistan condemned all acts of terrorism.

Muttaqi is on a week-long visit to India, from October 9 to 16. This is the first high-level delegation from Kabul to India since the Taliban took control of Afghanistan in August 2021. Earlier on Saturday, the Afghan minister said that the "future of India-Afghanistan relations seems very bright."