India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Friday strongly criticised Pakistan for continuing to shelter terrorist organisations and sponsoring cross-border terrorism.
Addressing a media briefing in New Delhi, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India is closely monitoring the ongoing tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan. “It is clear that Pakistan hosts terrorist organisations and sponsors terrorist activities. It is an old practice of Pakistan to blame its neighbours for its own internal failures,” Jaiswal said.
He added that Pakistan’s frustration stems from Afghanistan exercising sovereignty over its own territories. “India remains fully committed to the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and independence of Afghanistan,” he said.
On India’s presence in Kabul, Jaiswal informed that the Indian Technical Mission, operational since June 2022, will soon be upgraded to a full-fledged embassy. “The transition will happen in the next few days,” he said.
Responding to a question about the UK’s recent sanctions on Nayara Energy, Jaiswal reiterated that India does not recognise unilateral sanctions. “Energy security is a paramount responsibility for India to meet the basic needs of its citizens,” he stated, adding that Indian companies source energy globally while considering market conditions.
“There should be no double standards, especially when it comes to energy trade,” he stressed.
On a query regarding an alleged conversation between US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on oil imports, Jaiswal clarified that he was “not aware of any such conversation between the two leaders yesterday.”
He also noted that the current US administration has expressed interest in strengthening energy cooperation with India. “India has for many years sought to expand its energy procurement, which has steadily progressed in the last decade,” Jaiswal said.
He emphasised that India’s oil import policy is guided by the goal of protecting consumer interests amid global volatility. “Ensuring stable energy prices and secure supplies has been at the core of our energy policy. This includes broad-basing and diversifying energy sources to adapt to market conditions,” he added.
Last week, India announced upgrading the technical mission in Kabul to the status of the embassy.
The announcement was made by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar following his wide-ranging talks with Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi.
India had withdrawn its officials from its embassy in Kabul after the Taliban seized power in August 2021. In June 2022, India re-established its diplomatic presence in the Afghan capital by deploying the technical team.