India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Monday strongly rejected accusations from Pakistan about attacks on minorities in India. The MEA said these claims were nothing but “finger pointing” and stressed that Pakistan itself has a poor record on minority rights.  

The Pakistani foreign affairs spokesperson, Tahir Andrabi, had called on the international community to notice what Islamabad described as incidents “targeting religious minorities” in India. His remarks included reference to “Christmas-related vandalism and attacks on Muslims.” Pakistan asked other countries to take steps to protect the rights of vulnerable groups.  

In response, the MEA dismissed the Pakistani statement as politically motivated and unacceptable. The Indian government said Pakistan has no moral right to comment on India’s internal affairs because of what New Delhi described as Islamabad’s “abysmal record” when it comes to the treatment of minorities within its own borders.  

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal made clear India’s position. He said, “We reject the reported remarks from a country whose abysmal record on this front speaks for itself. Pakistan’s horrific and systemic victimisation of minorities of various faiths is a well-established fact. No amount of finger pointing will obfuscate it.”  

The MEA also said Pakistan’s comments were made with “the contempt they deserve.” Jaiswal added that because Pakistan has been deep in practices of bigotry and repression, it does not have any moral standing to lecture others on how to treat minorities.  

He explained that, instead of criticising India, Pakistan should examine its own human rights issues. Jaiswal said, "Rather than delivering hypocritical homilies, Pakistan would do better to turn its gaze inwards and focus on its own abysmal human rights record.”  

According to the MEA, accusations from Pakistan were simply a way to divert attention from its own domestic issues. India also pointed out that Pakistan had raised objections last month to the flag-hosting ceremony at the Ram Temple in India, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated.  

The MEA’s rebuttal reflects the continuing diplomatic tensions between the two neighbours, especially on sensitive issues like human rights and minority protections. India’s statement aimed to deflect criticism and defend its record, while highlighting what it sees as Pakistan’s shortcomings in handling its own minority communities.  

In the larger context, incidents involving religious minorities have often been points of contention between the two countries. Both sides frequently respond strongly to public statements about internal affairs, making such exchanges a regular feature of the strained relationship. Overall, India’s official reaction made it clear that it rejects Pakistan’s allegations and insists that Pakistan’s own treatment of minorities undermines any claim it makes about human rights conditions in India.