India on Saturday strongly condemned Pakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Asif for his remarks questioning the legitimacy of the 'Guardian of the Blue Horizon' Presidential Distinction conferred on Prime Minister Narendra Modi by Seychelles. Government sources described Asif as 'mentally unstable' and accused him of making 'silly comments' on matters he knows little about.
Government sources hit back
Sources in the Indian government stated that Asif's mental instability is a 'known fact'. They added, 'That he could be entrusted with his current responsibility says much about today's Pakistan. Clearly, he has no day job and passes time by making silly comments on matters of which he has little knowledge. Envy is always a bad motivation, particularly so from someone steeped in hate speech.'
Asif's remarks on PM Modi's award
Khawaja Asif had questioned the legitimacy of the honour awarded to PM Modi during his visit to Seychelles. The 'Guardian of the Blue Horizon' is a newly instituted Presidential Distinction by Seychelles, recognizing commitment to environmental conservation and advancing the aspirations of Small Island Developing States. PM Modi is the first recipient of this award after Seychelles revamped its national honours system.
PM Modi dedicates award to climate change fight
Accepting the distinction, PM Modi thanked the people and government of Seychelles and dedicated the honour to countries confronting the challenges of climate change. The award underscores India's growing environmental leadership on the global stage.
Past criticism of Khawaja Asif
This is not the first time Asif has been labeled 'mentally ill'. In November 2025, Afghanistan's Taliban-led administration criticized him after he reportedly threatened to launch attacks against Afghanistan. Noorullah Noori, Minister of Borders and Tribal Affairs of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, described Asif as a 'mentally ill' person. Addressing a gathering, Noori said, 'Your history against Bangladesh and India is clear. Our history against Russia, America and Britain is clear. You judge.'
India-Pakistan tensions persist
The exchange highlights ongoing tensions between India and Pakistan, with Indian officials often dismissing remarks from Pakistani leaders as baseless or inflammatory. The Indian government's response underscores its stance that such comments are not worthy of serious consideration.
