Defence Minister Rajnath Singh clearly articulated India’s stance of non-interference regarding the escalating conflict between Afghanistan and Pakistan, particularly around the disputed Durand Line. Speaking in the wake of cross-border clashes and a bombing incident in Kabul, Singh firmly rejected any suggestion of Indian involvement during an exclusive interview with Network18 Group Editor-in-Chief Rahul Joshi, while simultaneously outlining a foreign policy based on peace and self-reliance.
Responding to Pakistan’s suggestion that India was responsible for stoking the tensions—specifically their hint at an Indian role in the clashes following the bombing in Kabul—Rajnath Singh was unequivocal. He dismissed the claims as “completely baseless,
unsubstantiated accusations.” He reinforced India’s foundational foreign policy principle, stating, “We do not seek or encourage any kind of confrontation. We want peace in the world. We are in favour of peace. We will not provoke anyone or encourage conflict with anyone.”
However, Singh immediately paired this commitment to peace with a strong declaration of national resolve: “But if someone teases or provokes us, we will not spare them.” He stressed that India relies on its own strength for defence, proclaiming, “We do not use crutches to defend our self-respect. We do it ourselves. We take decisions on our own and take required actions on our own.”
When questioned directly about India’s position on the long-standing border dispute between Afghanistan and Pakistan over the Durand Line, Singh reiterated a policy of strict non-intervention, viewing it as a matter for the two nations to resolve.
“Whatever the issue, all the countries involved should sit down and settle it by negotiation,” he stated, advocating for bilateral dialogue as the primary solution. He made it clear that India has no intention of intervening unilaterally, asserting, “We do not want to intervene in another country’s affairs.”
Singh used a culturally resonant idiom to summarise India’s commitment to respecting the sovereignty of others: “We do not believe in ‘maan na maan, main tera mehmaan’ (whether you like it or not, I am your guest).” By stating emphatically that the dispute is an “internal matter” for Afghanistan and Pakistan to decide, he underlined that any potential Indian role would only be considered if “both countries agree that there should be outside interference and that an impartial process of dialogue should be started.”
This measured response successfully rebutted the aggressive allegations from Pakistan while maintaining India’s long-held principle of diplomatic restraint and promotion of regional stability through dialogue.
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