India Sharply Rejects Pak’s Claims To Indus Valley Heritage

India-West News Desk

NEW DELHI – India on July 28 sharply rejected Pakistan’s recent attempts to link its national identity to the Indus Valley Civilization, arguing that a country accused of promoting cross border terrorism and religious extremism cannot credibly claim the pluralistic heritage of one of the world’s oldest civilizations.

Responding to questions about Pakistani leaders describing the Indus Valley Civilization as part of a shared legacy, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said Pakistan’s record on protecting minorities undermined such claims.

“Their abysmal track record on the protection of minorities and their cultural rights make such desperate attempts look even more phony,” Jaiswal said.

The exchange reflects a growing dispute over the legacy of the Indus Valley Civilization, also known as the Harappan Civilization, which flourished more than 4,000 years ago across parts of present day India and Pakistan. The civilization is renowned for its planned cities, sophisticated drainage systems, trade networks and cultural achievements, with major archaeological sites including Mohenjo Daro in Pakistan and Dholavira and Rakhigarhi in India.

The latest controversy follows comments by Pakistan’s Information and Broadcasting Minister Attaullah Tarar, who said the identity of Pakistan’s people is rooted in the banks and tributaries of the River Indus.

Over the past year, senior Pakistani political leaders have increasingly sought to connect the country’s national identity with the Bronze Age civilization, presenting it as a foundational element of Pakistan’s history. India, however, has long emphasized the continuity between the Indus Valley Civilization and its broader civilizational heritage, arguing that the ancient culture forms part of the historical evolution of the Indian subcontinent.

The debate has also extended to archaeology. Last year, Pakistan launched a new excavation around Mohenjo Daro, one of the civilization’s most significant urban centers, while India has continued archaeological work and research at several Harappan sites within its borders.

The renewed focus on the civilization comes amid continuing tensions over the Indus Waters Treaty. India has kept the treaty in abeyance since April 2025 following the terror attack in Pahalgam. As the dispute over the Indus river system has intensified, Pakistan has increasingly invoked the historical and cultural significance of the Indus region in defending its position.

The shift has drawn attention because Pakistan has traditionally emphasized its Islamic heritage in defining its national identity. Its recent efforts to highlight the pre Islamic Indus Valley Civilization have emerged alongside the broader political debate surrounding the Indus river and the future of the water sharing agreement between the two countries.