New Delhi [India], March 18 (ANI): India on Tuesday said that Pakistan's promotion of cross-border terrorism is the biggest 'roadblock' to peace and security. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal reacting to Pakistan Foreign Office's comments on Jammu and Kashmir, which came in response to PM Narendra Modi's remarks during a podcast, urged Islamabad to 'vacate Indian territory under its illegal and forcible occupation.'

In response to media queries on Pakistan's comments, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated, 'We note that Pakistan has once again made some comments about the Indian Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.'

'The world knows that the real issue is Pakistan's active promotion and sponsorship of cross-border terrorism. In fact, this is the biggest roadblock to peace and security in the region. Instead of spreading lies, Pakistan should vacate Indian territory under its illegal and forcible occupation,' the MEA Spokesperson said.

Recently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a freewheeling interview with American podcaster Lex Fridman, shared his efforts to improve relations with Pakistan, including inviting then-Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif to his oath-taking ceremony. However, PM Modi noted that every attempt at fostering peace was met with hostility and betrayal.

'I even personally travelled to Lahore in the pursuit of peace. When I became Prime Minister, I specially invited Pakistan to my swearing-in ceremony so we could turn over a new leaf. Yet, every noble attempt at fostering peace was met with hostility and betrayal,' PM Modi said in the podcast.

PM Modi's comments on the podcast were made days after Pakistan's rhetoric against India following the attack on the Jaffar Express train by Baloch rebels in which passengers were taken hostage.

Pakistan's foreign office issued a statement regarding the podcast rebuffing PM Modi's remarks.

Previously, Pakistan Foreign Office spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan claimed that the rebels involved in the attack on the Jaffar Express were in contact with ring leaders in Afghanistan.

'India has been involved in terrorism in Pakistan. In the particular attack on Jaffar Express, the terrorists had been in contact with their handlers and ring leaders in Afghanistan,' Shafqat Ali Khan said during his weekly press briefing.

India strongly denied the suggestions made by the Pakistan foreign office.

MEA official spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal on March 14 said, 'We strongly reject the baseless allegations made by Pakistan. The whole world knows where the epicenter of global terrorism lies. Pakistan should look inwards instead of pointing fingers and shifting the blame for its own internal problems and failures onto others.' (ANI)