New Delhi – India has vehemently rejected allegations made by Pakistan concerning a "third country's" involvement in the April 2022 Karachi University suicide bombing. India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal, on Thursday, May 30, 2024, urged Pakistan to "look inwards" and take concrete action against terrorism originating from its territory.

The rejection came in response to statements by Pakistani officials, including then-Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who had suggested the role of a "foreign hand" or "third country" in the 2022 attack during recent high-level meetings with Chinese counterparts. The blast, which occurred at the Confucius Institute in Karachi University, resulted in the deaths of three Chinese teachers and their Pakistani driver.

India's Ministry of External Affairs underscored that Pakistan has a documented history of state-sponsored terrorism and should focus on addressing these internal issues rather than deflecting blame. Jaiswal reiterated India's consistent stance against terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.

Key points from India's statement include:

  • Categorical Rejection: India dismissed Pakistan's claims of external involvement in the Karachi blast as unfounded.
  • Call for Internal Focus: Pakistan was advised to examine its own policies and actions regarding terrorism originating from its soil.
  • Action Against Terror: India urged Pakistan to take "credible action against the perpetrators of terrorism, including those involved in cross-border terrorism."
  • Zero Tolerance Policy: The MEA spokesperson highlighted India's unwavering "zero tolerance" policy towards terrorism.

The April 2022 suicide bombing, carried out by a female assailant, targeted a van transporting faculty members of the Confucius Institute, a Chinese language and cultural centre. The attack caused significant diplomatic strain between Pakistan and China, with Beijing demanding swift and thorough investigations and enhanced security for its citizens and projects in Pakistan.

Pakistan's allegations, made in the context of its renewed commitment to protecting Chinese interests following the blast, did not explicitly name India. However, the reference to a "third country" has often been interpreted in diplomatic circles as an implicit accusation against India, given the strained bilateral relations between the two nuclear-armed neighbours.

This latest exchange marks a continuation of the long-standing diplomatic tensions and differing narratives between India and Pakistan concerning regional security and terrorism. India has consistently called upon Pakistan to dismantle terrorist infrastructure on its soil and to cease supporting cross-border terrorism, a charge Pakistan routinely denies. India's statement emphasizes that the onus remains on Pakistan to demonstrate genuine commitment to combating terrorism originating from its territory. The immediate next steps involve continued monitoring of Pakistan's actions regarding terror financing and counter-terrorism efforts by international bodies and neighbouring nations.