Authors may sometimes find themselves in a situation where they are asked to include references that they do not necessarily agree are relevant or necessary for their work. It is important for authors to critically evaluate the suggested references and determine whether they are truly relevant to their work. If an author believes that a suggested reference is not relevant, they can politely explain their reasoning to the reviewers and provide evidence to support their argument.

Just do as they say, unless it's clearly wrong. Your paper is more likely to be accepted. I review and authors have become too argumentative and disrespectful towards reviewers these days and make too many excuses :)

Hello Lekgowa Collen Makola

Unfortunately the trend that Andrew Paul McKenzie Pegman noted is increasingly prevalent these days. I recently saw a post that someone was asked to cite two items in addition. I have seen much more so I thought two was not terrible. I would not, however, say that in a review myself (to get them to cite my work).

See also these related deiscussions:

https://www.researchgate.net/post/Is_it_morally_right_or_wrong_for_reviewers_to_propose_articles_unrelated_to_your_work_for_you_to_cite

https://www.researchgate.net/post/Have_you_ever_felt_pressured_by_peer_reviewers_to_cite_seemingly_superfluous_studies_in_your_work

https://www.researchgate.net/post/Unethical_act_of_Reviewer