New Delhi: The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Monday made a sharp remark on the political situation in Pakistan, with spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stating, “democracy and Pakistan don’t go together.” His comment came amid escalating protests over former Prime Minister Imran Khan and concerns over the weakening of democratic structures in the neighbouring country.

During the weekly media briefing, Jaiswal was asked about Pakistan’s political situation and the protests triggered by Khan’s arrest and ongoing legal battles. He said India continues to closely monitor developments in Pakistan but refrained from elaborating further on internal politics. “We keep a close eye on every development in Pakistan. But regarding democracy… the less we talk, the better,” he added, signaling strong disapproval of Pakistan’s current governance and democratic practices.

Border Clashes with Afghanistan
Jaiswal also addressed recent clashes between Pakistan and Afghanistan along their border. He expressed concern over reports of Afghan civilian casualties and condemned attacks on innocent civilians. “India strongly supports the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Afghanistan,” he said, noting that at least five people were reported killed in the latest exchanges of gunfire, which further strain bilateral tensions after failed peace talks.

Context of Imran Khan and Rising Tensions
The MEA’s remarks come amid growing political instability in Pakistan. Imran Khan, 73, has been imprisoned since 2023 following a corruption conviction and faces multiple ongoing cases. His party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), has protested for greater access to him for family and supporters, amid circulating rumours about his health and even false claims of his death.

The tension escalated further when the Pakistan military publicly labelled Khan “mentally ill” and a “narcissist,” following Khan’s criticism of Army Chief Gen. Asim Munir, whom he accused of overseeing a “complete collapse of the Constitution and rule of law in Pakistan.” These developments reflect the deepening rift between civilian political forces and the military establishment in Pakistan.

India’s MEA remarks underline New Delhi’s concern over Pakistan’s political instability, the erosion of democratic norms, and cross-border security issues, particularly with Afghanistan, while signalling a cautious diplomatic posture.