In a sharp rebuttal to Pakistan Army Chief General Asim Munir’s recent comments on Kashmir being Pakistan’s “jugular vein,” India has issued a strong statement dismissing the claim and reasserting its sovereignty over the Union Territory. Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal emphasized that Pakistan’s only legitimate connection with Kashmir is the responsibility to vacate territories it has illegally occupied. “How can anything foreign be in a jugular vein? This is a Union Territory of India,” Jaiswal told reporters, underlining India’s stance on the ongoing territorial dispute.

General Munir, speaking to members of the Pakistani diaspora, reiterated the ideology rooted in the two-nation theory, stressing the cultural and religious divide with India. He urged overseas Pakistanis to remain connected with their heritage and to uphold Pakistan’s “superior ideology and culture.” On Kashmir, Munir’s declaration—”It was our jugular vein, it will be our jugular vein”—reflected a hardened posture that signals no intention of compromise. He also praised the “heroic struggle” of Kashmiri people, aligning the military’s stance with longstanding nationalist rhetoric.

The timing and tone of General Munir’s remarks come at a critical juncture in regional diplomacy, highlighting the military’s continued influence over Pakistan’s foreign policy. The MEA’s response signifies that India remains firm in its position, pushing back against any revival of the narrative that challenges its territorial integrity. As tensions persist, this exchange risks escalating rhetoric on both sides, making peace-building efforts even more challenging in the near future.