Pakistani Envoy Warns of India’s Expansionist Agenda, Urges U.S. Role in Kashmir Resolution

Washington, D.C.: Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United States, Rizwan Saeed Sheikh, has issued a stern warning over India’s alleged expansionist ambitions, calling them a direct threat to global peace and regional stability. Speaking during a high-level interaction with scholars and policy experts at leading American think tanks, Ambassador Sheikh emphasized that the unresolved Kashmir dispute remains the single most significant obstacle to lasting peace in South Asia.

He criticised what he described as India’s “unabated stubbornness” and its “consistent deviation” from United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions on Jammu and Kashmir. Referring to recent developments, the ambassador cited the presentation of the controversial “Akhand Bharat” map in the Indian parliament as a clear reflection of New Delhi’s hegemonic ambitions.

“The Akhand Bharat map is not just a political provocation; it’s an alarm bell that highlights India’s expansionist mindset,” he warned, noting that such actions jeopardize both regional harmony and international stability.

Ambassador Sheikh reaffirmed that UNSC resolutions on Kashmir remain legally binding and relevant, stating, “There is no expiry date on international law. These resolutions are as valid today as they were seven decades ago.”

He also condemned India’s 2019 revocation of Article 370, describing it as a violation of UNSC Resolution 122, which prohibits unilateral actions that alter the status of Jammu and Kashmir. He said Pakistan had exercised restraint during recent escalations in May 2025, despite provocations and public pressure, but warned that “patience should not be mistaken for weakness.” He asserted that Pakistan would respond decisively to any future misadventures.

On matters of strategic stability, Ambassador Sheikh credited Pakistan’s nuclear deterrence for maintaining peace in the region and underscored the need for a balanced security environment.

He acknowledged the United States’ past efforts in de-escalating tensions between India and Pakistan, particularly under former President Donald Trump, and urged Washington to continue playing a constructive role. “The U.S. must help sustain the ceasefire agreement and promote meaningful dialogue on all critical issues, including Kashmir, terrorism, and water-sharing under the Indus Waters Treaty,” he said.

The ambassador also raised alarms over India’s alleged involvement in extraterritorial operations, including reported assassinations on foreign soil. He said such acts, if substantiated, would represent grave violations of international law and warrant global scrutiny.

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Turning to regional stability, Ambassador Sheikh reiterated Pakistan’s longstanding position that peace in Afghanistan is essential not only for Pakistan’s security but also for economic integration across Central and South Asia. “A stable Afghanistan is key to unlocking the region’s vast economic potential,” he concluded.

The statement is expected to spark fresh debate over South Asia’s security dynamics, particularly as the international community monitors tensions between two nuclear-armed neighbours.