Pakistan on Wednesday criticised Indian National Security Advisor Ajit Doval for urging Indians to “avenge our history” and build a strong nation, saying such remarks reflected “imagined historical vendettas” rather than responsible statecraft.

According to Indian media reports, Doval made the comments while addressing young people at an event in New Delhi, where he called on them to learn from India’s past struggles and use the powerful force of “vengeance” to ensure the country’s strength in areas including security and the economy.

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Responding to media queries, Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said the remarks were “hardly surprising coming from camouflaged hate-mongers,” adding that such narratives undermined regional peace and stability.

Pakistan and India, both nuclear-armed neighbours, have long had strained relations, marked by persistent disputes including over Kashmir and periodic military crises.

Tensions most recently escalated into a four-day conflict in May 2025, one of the worst military confrontations between Islamabad and New Delhi in decades, before a ceasefire was reached.