Kumar Bahukhandi
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal. (File Image)
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, “Nimantran toh rishton pe nirbhar karta hai naa…nimantran ka adar karte hain, nimantran ko sweekar karna, wo rishton pe nirbhar karta hain.”
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Friday March 21, 2025 responded to questions about whether any Indian government official was invited to the Iftar dinner hosted at the Pakistan High Commission for Pakistan’s National Day on Thursday.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, “Nimantran toh rishton pe nirbhar karta hai naa…nimantran ka adar karte hain, nimantran ko sweekar karna, wo rishton pe nirbhar karta hain. (An invitation depends on relations. Invitations are respected, accepting them depends on the nature of the relationship.)”
“The world knows that the real issue is Pakistan’s active promotion and sponsorship of cross-border terrorism. In fact this is the biggest roadblock to peace and security in the region,” he said.
“Instead of spreading lies, Pakistan should vacate Indian territory under its illegal and forcible occupation,” Jaiswal added.
Meanwhile, there was no representation from the Indian side at Pakistan National Day celebrations on Thursday for the second consecutive year.
Addressing the event, Pakistan’s charge d’affaires Saad Warraich said Pakistan desires peaceful ties with India and that a new dawn could emerge through mutual understanding, addressing concerns, and resolving longstanding issues, including Jammu and Kashmir.
Last year, Pakistan had invited several Indian government officials, but none attended.
Earlier this week, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said during a podcast that Pakistan remains the epicentre of terrorism and that repeated Indian efforts for peace had been met with hostility.
Pakistan dismissed the remarks calling it as “misleading and one-sided”.
