Pakistanis, Indians slam Jaishankar for ‘below-the-belt’ remarks against Pakistan

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif and Federal Information Minister Attaullah Tarar on Thursday joined scores of Pakistanis and Indians in slamming BJP government, saying there was “growing anxiety” in neighbouring India over Pakistan’s role in bringing the warring parties in the Middle East conflict towards dialogue, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

There was a strong reaction in Pakistan and even in India after Indian Minister for External Affairs S Jaishankar used “below-the-belt” remarks against Pakistan.

Jaishankar faced criticism after his remarks at an all-party meeting on the West Asia crisis, where he responded to concerns over Pakistan’s reported role in potential US–Iran talks, went viral. 

According to remarks cited from the meeting, Jaishankar said, “We are not a dalaal (broker) nation,” while addressing questions around Islamabad’s mediation efforts. He also said there was “nothing new” about Pakistan’s role, adding the country had been “used” by the United States since 1981.
In a post on X platform on Thursday, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said “Thinks of himself a hi-fi dalal, remarks reflect personal frustration.”

Thinks of himself a hi fi dalal, remarks reflect personal frustration. https://t.co/2Rr5hZG6Da

— Khawaja M. Asif (@KhawajaMAsif) March 26, 2026

Addressing a press conference in Islamabad, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar took note of Pakistan-led mediation efforts in the Iran war, stating that “Pakistan has emerged as a responsible state, which has relevance and its diplomatic efforts are being acknowledged worldwide”.

However, Tarar stressed that there seemed to be “growing anxiety in India over Pakistan’s enhanced role, significance and relevance”.

The minister credited Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and the Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of the Army Staff, Field Marshal Asim Munir, for Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts.

There was widespread reaction to the Jaishankar’s irresponsible statement on social media.

A netizen in a post on X platform said “Pakistan's diplomatic role in promoting peace in the region has proven to be an unexpected and shocking jolt for India.”

Another remarked “Imagine calling peace efforts ‘dalaali’ just because you weren’t invited to the table. That’s not diplomacy, that’s insecurity (which) exposes Indians. Sore crybabies and losers!

Indians slam Jaishankar’s statement

S Jaishankar faced criticism from his own country after his remarks at an all-party meeting against Pakistan.

According to remarks cited from the meeting, Jaishankar said, “We are not a dalaal (broker) nation,” while addressing questions around Islamabad’s reported mediation efforts.

He also said there was “nothing new” about Pakistan’s role, adding that the country had been “used” by the United States since 1981.

The comments came amid reports that Pakistan could host negotiations between the US and Iran, with US President Donald Trump appearing to endorse Islamabad’s role. During the meeting, the government also conveyed that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had told Trump that the war must end soon.

The remarks triggered massive criticism online, as Indian users questioned both the language and the government’s position.

One reaction stated, “If Trump had asked Modi to mediate, it would have been his entire election campaign this year… So please do not disguise this foreign policy failure as ‘dalali’.”

Another said, “Was India a ‘Broker Country’ when Modi was desperate to mediate between Russia and Ukraine? Selective brokering or selective memory?”

A similar response read, “I wanted to ask, who was negotiating peace between Russia and Ukraine? Who was playing the ‘DALAL’ role.”

Several users also objected to the wording used by the minister. One comment said, “Such poor choice of words… Has he done any refresher training in Entire Foreign Affairs,” while another stated, “This language is insulting, unnecessary and undiplomatic.”

Another response said, “The ability to broker peace is an indicator of influence in the global sphere." A separate comment added, “Jaishankar used to be a career diplomat… The word ‘Dalal’ is the language of street vandals.”

Some reactions linked the remarks to India’s diplomatic position. One user wrote, “That’s just a polished way of admitting that both he and Modi are powerless in this situation.”