India, June 23 -- India strongly rejected remarks made by Pakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Asif warning of war over the Indus Waters Treaty, saying the comments were a desperate attempt to divert attention from Islamabad's internal failures and human rights issues.

Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India had taken note of the statements and firmly dismissed them, calling them "fabricated claims" that deserve contempt.

"These remarks are desperate attempts by Pakistan to cover up its own failings and divert attention away from its human rights abuses," Jaiswal said during the weekly media briefing in New Delhi.

His response came after Asif reportedly warned that Pakistan could "go to war" if its water...