New Delhi, June 21: India has strongly rejected the Pakistan President’s remarks on India’s internal matters, calling them unwarranted, absurd and politically motivated.

Responding to media queries, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said Pakistan had no locus standi to comment on issues that are internal to India. The response came after remarks made by the President of Pakistan, which New Delhi viewed as an attempt to interfere in India’s domestic affairs.

The MEA also pointed to Pakistan’s own human-rights record and its treatment of minorities, saying the remarks appeared less like genuine concern and more like a political attack.

The Crux

The crux of this news is that India’s response goes beyond a routine diplomatic rebuttal.

New Delhi is drawing a clear red line: Pakistan should not comment on matters India considers internal. This has been a consistent Indian position, especially when Islamabad raises issues related to India’s domestic politics, religious matters or constitutional decisions.

What makes this response sharper is the language used by the MEA. By calling the remarks “unwarranted,” “absurd” and politically driven, India is not merely disagreeing with Pakistan. It is questioning Pakistan’s moral and diplomatic authority to raise such issues in the first place.

This is where the story becomes important. The dispute is not only about one statement by the Pakistan President. It reflects the larger pattern of India-Pakistan diplomatic exchanges, where domestic matters often become international talking points.

Why It Matters

This matters because India is trying to control the narrative around its sovereignty and internal decision-making.

Whenever Pakistan comments on Indian domestic issues, especially those linked to religion, minorities or constitutional questions, India usually responds by framing it as external interference. The latest MEA response follows the same line, but with stronger wording.

India’s argument is simple: a country facing global criticism over its own minority rights and human-rights record cannot lecture India on internal matters.

This position serves two purposes.

First, it rejects Pakistan’s claim to speak on Indian issues. Second, it shifts the spotlight back on Pakistan’s own domestic challenges, especially the treatment of minorities across different faiths.

For India, this is also about preventing Pakistan from internationalising issues that New Delhi wants to keep within its sovereign framework.

The Bigger Picture

India-Pakistan relations have remained tense for decades, and public statements from either side often carry diplomatic weight beyond the immediate issue.

This response shows that India is increasingly unwilling to let Pakistan’s remarks pass without a strong counter. The MEA’s language suggests that New Delhi wants to close the door on any external commentary that questions India’s handling of its internal matters.

The larger picture is also about international perception. Pakistan often tries to raise India-related issues on global platforms, while India responds by pointing to terrorism, minority rights concerns and human-rights issues within Pakistan.

In this case, India’s reply frames Pakistan’s remarks as part of a political pattern rather than an isolated comment.

That framing is important because it allows New Delhi to present the issue not as a religious or domestic debate, but as a sovereignty and diplomacy matter.

What India Is Signalling

India is signalling three things through this response.

First, it will not accept Pakistan’s commentary on India’s internal affairs.

Second, it will counter such remarks by questioning Pakistan’s own record.

Third, it wants the international community to see Pakistan’s comments as politically motivated rather than principled.

This is a familiar but significant diplomatic strategy. Instead of only denying the allegation or responding to the specific remark, India challenges the credibility of the country making the comment.

Why The Language Is Important

Diplomatic statements are usually carefully worded. So when terms like “absurd,” “political attack,” “bigotry” and “hatred” are used, it shows a deliberate hardening of tone.

This indicates that India does not want the issue to be treated as a minor exchange of statements. It wants to send a message that repeated comments from Pakistan on India’s internal matters will be met with direct and forceful responses.

The wording also reflects India’s broader frustration with Pakistan’s repeated attempts to frame Indian domestic issues for international attention.

Final Takeaway

The real crux of this news is that India is not just rejecting one statement. It is reinforcing a wider diplomatic principle: Pakistan has no standing to comment on India’s internal affairs.

By linking the Pakistan President’s remarks to Pakistan’s own human-rights record and minority issues, India has turned the criticism back on Islamabad.

The story matters because it shows how India is shaping its diplomatic response in a more assertive way — defending sovereignty, rejecting external commentary and keeping the focus on Pakistan’s credibility.

New Delhi, June 21: India is set to host the BRICS National Security Advisers’ Meeting on June 22 and 23, with National Security Adviser Ajit Doval chairing the two-day security dialogue.

National Security Advisers and heads of delegation from BRICS member countries are expected to deliberate on the theme, “Non-Traditional Security Challenges Confronting The World Today.”

The agenda is expected to focus on how global security threats are changing beyond conventional military conflict. Issues such as terrorism, cyber threats, misuse of technology, information security, emerging digital risks and complex transnational challenges are likely to remain at the centre of discussions.

The Crux

The real importance of this meeting lies in the timing and the theme.

BRICS is no longer only an economic grouping discussing trade, development and finance. With its expanded membership and growing geopolitical weight, the platform is increasingly becoming a space where countries discuss security, technology and strategic coordination.

India hosting this meeting gives New Delhi an opportunity to shape the BRICS security conversation around issues it has repeatedly flagged on global platforms — especially terrorism, cross-border threats, cyber misuse and the security impact of emerging technologies.

The phrase “non-traditional security challenges” is important because it widens the debate. Security today is not limited to borders, armies or weapons. A cyberattack can disrupt banking systems. Misinformation can create instability. Terror networks can use encrypted platforms. Artificial intelligence, drones and digital tools can be used for both development and disruption.

That is the broader challenge this meeting is expected to address.

Why It Matters

This BRICS NSA meeting matters for India on three levels.

First, it strengthens India’s position as a security agenda-setter within the Global South. By chairing the meeting, India can push conversations that go beyond broad diplomatic statements and focus on practical security cooperation.

Second, the meeting comes at a time when technology is changing the nature of conflict. Cyberattacks, data theft, AI-enabled threats, digital radicalisation and misuse of information networks are becoming serious concerns for governments. A platform like BRICS allows member countries to compare threat perceptions and explore common responses.

Third, counter-terrorism remains a core Indian concern. For India, any multilateral security discussion is also a chance to call for stronger global consensus against terrorism, terror financing and safe havens. Within BRICS, where member countries may not always have identical geopolitical interests, building agreement on security language itself becomes significant.

The Bigger Picture

The BRICS grouping has expanded beyond its original five members and now includes major emerging economies across Asia, Africa, West Asia and Latin America. This gives the platform greater reach, but also makes consensus more complex.

That is why a security meeting of this kind carries weight. It is not just about one event in New Delhi. It is about how BRICS defines its role in a world where traditional power structures are being challenged and new forms of instability are emerging.

For India, the meeting is also part of a larger diplomatic moment. As host, India can position itself as a country that is not only participating in BRICS, but actively shaping its future agenda.

The discussions on counter-terrorism and security in the use of information and communication technologies are especially relevant. These are two areas where global coordination is often difficult, but increasingly necessary.

What To Watch

The key thing to watch will be whether the meeting produces a sharper common understanding on terrorism, cyber security and technology-driven threats.

Another important area will be the tone of participation from major BRICS members, especially as the grouping includes countries with different strategic alignments. The ability to find common language on security will show how far BRICS can move beyond economic cooperation into strategic coordination.

If the meeting results in stronger agreement on counter-terrorism, cyber safety and responsible technology use, it could become an important marker in India’s BRICS 2026 leadership.

Final Takeaway

The crux of the news is that India is using the BRICS NSA platform to bring attention to the next generation of security threats.

This is not just a routine diplomatic meeting. It reflects a changing global security landscape where threats are faster, more digital, more networked and often harder to trace.

By hosting the meeting, India is placing itself at the centre of a conversation that every major country now has to confront: how to protect societies when security threats no longer come only through borders, but also through technology, networks, information systems and non-state actors.
Image Source: File Photo / Provided Image

Kolkata, June 21: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday led the national celebration of the 12th International Day of Yoga at Kolkata’s historic Red Road, joining thousands of participants in performing the Common Yoga Protocol.

The event was held under this year’s theme, “Yoga for Healthy Ageing,” highlighting the importance of yoga in promoting physical fitness, mental balance, emotional strength and overall well-being across all age groups.

Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister extended greetings to people across India and the world on the occasion of International Yoga Day. He said June 21 has become one of the world’s largest collective celebrations, bringing people from different countries and cultures together through the practice of yoga.

PM Modi said holding the national celebration in West Bengal carried special significance because of the state’s rich spiritual and cultural heritage. He recalled the contributions of great spiritual leaders and thinkers associated with Bengal, including Swami Vivekananda and Sri Aurobindo, who helped spread India’s spiritual and yogic traditions across the world.

Speaking on the theme of healthy ageing, the Prime Minister said yoga is not limited to physical exercise or any particular age group. He described yoga as a complete approach to life that supports vitality, resilience and well-being at every stage.

He added that regular yoga practice helps people remain active, energetic and balanced as they age, while also supporting flexibility, mental calmness and emotional stability.

The Prime Minister urged citizens to make yoga an integral part of daily life instead of limiting it to a one-day observance. He also highlighted initiatives such as Yoga 365 and the 100-day online yoga programme, which saw participation from more than 30 lakh people across 130 countries.

The celebration at Red Road witnessed enthusiastic participation from yoga practitioners, students, volunteers, representatives of various organisations and members of the public.

Across India and abroad, lakhs of people joined the observance through yoga sessions, community events and virtual platforms, reflecting the growing global appeal of yoga as a movement for health and well-being.

International Day of Yoga 2026 is also witnessing wide global participation. Through the coordinated efforts of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations, more than 210 Indian Missions are organising yoga celebrations across nearly 2,500 locations worldwide.

Adding a cultural dimension to the celebrations, the Ministry of Culture, in collaboration with the Archaeological Survey of India, is organising special yoga events across 100 iconic locations in India, connecting the country’s cultural heritage, historical landmarks and yoga traditions.

Source: PIB
Image Source: @narendramodi