India on Sunday rejected Pakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Asif’s remarks questioning Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Seychelles honour, with government sources defending the international recognition.
The government sources informed that Asif’s remarks reflected a lack of understanding of the award and the circumstances surrounding it. The sources also criticised his comments, describing them as uninformed and saying they reflected the current state of Pakistan’s political leadership.
The response came after Khawaja Asif made doubts on the Guardian of the Blue Horizon awarded to Prime Minister Modi during his recent visit to Seychelles.
The government sources had earlier claimed that Asif appeared to be commenting on matters about which he had little knowledge. The sources further alleged that his remarks were driven by envy and accused him of engaging in hate speech. The sources also referred to previous criticism directed at the Pakistan minister, describing him as “mentally unstable.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi was recently conferred Seychelles’ newly instituted “Guardian of the Blue Horizon” award. It is the presidential distinction and the highest environmental honor bestowed by the Republic of Seychelles. PM Modi became the first recipient of the honour after Seychelles revised its national honours system.
Accepting the award, Modi thanked the government and people of Seychelles and dedicated the recognition to countries working together to address the challenges posed by climate change.
The Seychelles distinction is among several international honours that Prime Minister Modi has received for initiatives related to sustainability, environmental protection and climate action.
According to the information provided, Afghanistan’s Taliban-led administration had criticised the Pakistan minister in November 2025 after he reportedly threatened military action against Afghanistan.
The report stated that Noorullah Noori, the Minister of Borders and Tribal Affairs of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, had described Asif as “mentally ill” during a public address.