Key Points
- She highlighted Sindh’s historical legacy, noting its early decision to join Pakistan in 1947 and its resistance to inclusion in the Bombay Presidency under British rule.
- Rehman urged India to focus on domestic issues, respect international norms, and avoid divisive rhetoric, emphasising Pakistan’s commitment to sovereignty and regional peace.
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Senator Sherry Rehman on Monday strongly condemned recent comments made by India’s Defence Minister regarding Sindh province, calling them “provocative, revisionist, and deeply irresponsible.” She warned that such rhetoric undermines regional stability and violates international norms governing state sovereignty.
Historical Context Ignored
“Such statements are not only factually baseless, but also reflect an alarming escalation of the expansionist Hindutva narrative within India, which has no place in responsible statecraft,” Senator Rehman said. She highlighted Sindh’s historical legacy, noting that it was the first province to declare for joining Pakistan prior to the 1947 partition. The province had resisted inclusion in the Bombay Presidency under British rule and formally detached on April 1, 1936—a fact often overlooked by the Indian minister.
Criticism of Ethno-Nationalist Rhetoric
Senator Rehman criticised the Indian Defence Minister for “playing the ethno-nationalist card” against a province that consistently supports Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), one of the country’s largest federal parties. She added, “Mr Singh should focus on addressing discontent in India’s northeastern regions and reflect on India’s ongoing illegal occupation of Kashmir, which remains unresolved despite a heavy military presence.”
Sindh’s Cultural Significance
Emphasising Sindh’s historical and cultural importance, Rehman noted that the province lends its ancient “Sindhu” name to the Indus River and the Indus Valley Civilization—a heritage that India itself draws upon. “By his logic, Pakistan could raise territorial claims on Indian lands—but we do not engage in expansionist fantasies. Pakistan is a modern, peaceful state that will defend its sovereignty when needed,” she said.
Call for Responsible Governance
Rehman urged Indian authorities to refrain from inflammatory statements and focus on domestic issues, particularly safeguarding the rights of marginalized and vulnerable communities. “At a time when South Asia needs de-escalation, indulging in divisive posturing only heightens tensions,” she added.
Regional Peace and Sovereignty
On broader peace, Senator Rehman reaffirmed Pakistan’s stance that durable stability requires a just resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, in line with UN Security Council resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people. Concluding her remarks, she emphasised, “Pakistan will continue to defend its independence, territorial integrity, and the rights of its people. We remain committed to diplomacy grounded in international law, but we will never compromise on our security or the sanctity of our borders.”
Earlier, Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh claimed that, although Sindh is not part of India today, it remains linked to India’s “civilizational heritage” and said, “Borders can change … Who knows, tomorrow Sindh may return to India again.” He cited cultural and historical ties, noting Sindhi Hindus never fully accepted Sindh’s separation in 1947 and referenced the spiritual importance of the Indus River.
Pakistan strongly condemned the remarks, calling them “delusional, dangerously revisionist” and part of an “expansionist Hindutva mindset.”
