India has asked Pakistan to take concrete and credible steps against cross-border terrorism, saying statements and assurances from Islamabad need to be backed by action before they can be trusted.
Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal made the remarks during a media briefing on Tuesday while responding to questions about comments by Pakistan’s Chief of Defence Forces, Field Marshal Asim Munir. Munir had said Pakistan’s armed forces were determined to defeat terrorism amid a growing militant threat in the country.
Jaiswal said Pakistan needed to demonstrate a firm commitment and take credible action against cross-border terrorism. He said the international community would look for evidence of action before accepting Islamabad’s assurances.
The remarks come amid continuing tensions between India and Pakistan over terrorism and security. New Delhi has repeatedly maintained that Pakistan must take steps against terrorist groups and infrastructure linked to cross-border attacks before relations can improve.
India’s position has become particularly prominent since the Pahalgam terror attack in April 2025, in which 26 people were killed. Following the attack, India launched Operation Sindoor, targeting what it described as terrorist infrastructure. Military tensions between the two countries subsequently rose before a ceasefire understanding was reached in May 2025.
Since then, India has continued to link any meaningful improvement in bilateral relations to action against cross-border terrorism. New Delhi has said that Pakistan needs to credibly and irrevocably stop supporting terrorism directed at India.
The latest comments also came as Pakistan faces its own security challenges. Munir, during a visit to the Corps Headquarters in Peshawar, was briefed on the security situation in the province, counter-terrorism operations, border management and the preparedness of security forces, according to reports.
Pakistan has been dealing with a rise in militant attacks, particularly in areas close to its border with Afghanistan. Islamabad has accused the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and allied groups of operating from Afghan territory and carrying out attacks inside Pakistan. Afghanistan has rejected the allegations.
The tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan have also escalated in recent days. Pakistan carried out airstrikes in parts of Afghanistan on Monday, saying it targeted terrorist camps and hideouts and killed 28 militants. Afghan authorities said the strikes killed three civilians and injured four others. The UN mission in Afghanistan confirmed the civilian casualties and called for respect for international humanitarian law.
India criticised the Pakistani airstrikes on Afghanistan during the MEA briefing. Jaiswal said such acts of aggression against a sovereign neighbour were harmful to regional peace and security.
The latest India-Pakistan exchange is also taking place against the backdrop of a separate disagreement over the Indus Waters Treaty. Pakistan has referred to a recent development involving a Court of Arbitration connected with the treaty.
India has rejected the arbitration proceedings, maintaining that the body was constituted in violation of the treaty’s provisions. Jaiswal said Pakistan had sought to present the development as a ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration, but New Delhi did not accept that description.
India has maintained that the arbitration mechanism is not valid and has rejected its earlier pronouncements as well. The government has also kept its decision to place the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance, saying cooperation under the pact would remain suspended until Pakistan ends cross-border terrorism.
The treaty, signed in 1960, governs the use of the waters of the Indus river system by India and Pakistan. Water-sharing has remained a sensitive issue between the two countries, particularly as broader bilateral relations have deteriorated.
India has also previously questioned Pakistan’s announcements concerning action against wanted militant leaders. New Delhi has argued that public announcements or rewards are not enough and that what matters is tangible action against terrorist networks.
The MEA’s latest message therefore focuses on the difference between assurances and verifiable steps. India is seeking what it describes as credible action against cross-border terrorism rather than statements of intent.
The developments come at a time when security concerns are affecting relations across South Asia. India-Pakistan ties remain strained, while Pakistan is simultaneously facing growing tensions along its western border with Afghanistan.
The latest MEA statement indicates that India will continue to assess Pakistan’s position through its actions, particularly on the issue of cross-border terrorism. The two countries remain in a difficult phase of bilateral relations, with security, terrorism, the Indus Waters Treaty and regional stability continuing to shape their engagement.
