“Equally alarming is India’s irresponsible rhetoric which risks lowering the threshold for interstate conflict in the region,” he added.

Asif said that Pakistan remained committed to peace and dialogue but its resolve to safeguard its sovereignty, territorial integrity and national security “is absolute and must never be tested”.

“Defence minister’s rhetoric is an attempt to deflect the attention from internal turmoil and increasing unrest and discontent against Modi’s autocratic and divisive style of governance,” he said.