"We want peace, but India s relentless hostility has pushed the region to the brink of conflict," Khawaja Asif said.

He explained that Pakistan has consistently acted as a responsible nation, but India crossed a red line when its fighter jets violated Pakistani airspace.

Highlighting the downing of five aircrafts by Pakistan, he reaffirmed the Pakistan’s resolve to defend the nation.

Also Read: Pakistan reserves right to act in self-defence, PM Shehbaz tells US Secretary

Asif accused Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi of stoking war hysteria to distract from his domestic political failures.

“India is hurling baseless accusations at Pakistan. We offered an independent probe, but India rejected. Let it be clear—we have the right to defend ourselves,” he said.

In a separate development, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif told the US Secretary of State Marco Rubio that Pakistan reserves the right to act in self-defence “in accordance with Article-51 of the UN Charter.”

According to a press release issued by the Prime Minister Office (PMO), PM Shehbaz received a phone call from the US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Thursday. He appreciated President Trump’s concern over the current security situation in South Asia.