Pakistan on Thursday said that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had “crossed a red line” by talking about Balochistan during his Independence Day speech. A spokesperson for Pakistan’s Foreign Office, Nafees Zakaria claimed Modi violated a “United Nations Charter” by referring to the province, where Pakistani forces have allegedly committed atrocities against the local population, PTI reported.

Zakaria also condemned the alleged use of force by Indian security forces in the Kashmir Valley, adding that Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif will lead an official delegation to raise the Kashmir issue during the 71st session of the United Nations General Assembly in September. “Pakistan strongly condemns the continuing use of force by India and [the] violation of human rights,” the spokesperson said.

In response to Zakaria's statement, Spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs Vikas Swarup said: "I find this an extraordinary remark from a senior functionary of Pakistan, which recognises no red lines in its own diplomacy. Pakistan’s record of cross-border terrorism and infiltration is at the heart of the problems in the region today."

Moreover, the Pakistani official refused to confirm whether New Delhi had responded to Islamabad’s proposal to hold talks on Kashmir. Modi’s remarks came after Pakistan dedicated its Independence Day to the “freedom of Kashmir”. Violence in the Valley following the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen militant Burhan Wani has led to the deaths of at least 65 people, with the United Nations appealing to both India and Pakistan for independent access to the troubled region.