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External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has announced a significant shift in India's approach to its relationship with Pakistan, declaring the era of uninterrupted dialogue to be over. While acknowledging that India remains prepared to react to developments across the border, whether positive or negative, Jaishankar delivered a strong message that actions will have consequences for Pakistan, particularly those who support terrorist attacks on India. This statement marks a hardening of India's stance on the issue of terrorism and its relationship with Pakistan.
Jaishankar's comments were made during a private event in Delhi, where he addressed the question of India's relationship with Pakistan. He emphasized that the issue is not simply a matter of maintaining ties but rather the nature of those ties. The current situation, he suggested, is not necessarily acceptable, but India is not passive in its approach. Whether developments with Pakistan take a positive or negative direction, India will respond accordingly. This stance is rooted in India's consistent concerns over Pakistan's support, both financial and logistical, for cross-border terrorism, issues repeatedly raised in bilateral and international forums.
India's relationship with Pakistan has long been volatile, with border disputes in Jammu and Kashmir serving as a recurring source of friction. Jaishankar has previously denounced Pakistan's support for terrorism as an 'industry-level' practice, emphasizing India's unwavering commitment to addressing this issue. He has made it clear that India will not tolerate terrorist attacks and will hold Pakistan accountable for its actions. This sentiment was underscored by Jaishankar's reference to the Balakot airstrike, a precision strike by Indian armed forces on a terror training camp in Pakistan following a terror attack that killed 19 Indian soldiers. This action serves as a stark reminder of India's zero-tolerance policy towards terrorism.
Jaishankar's remarks come against the backdrop of upcoming elections in Jammu and Kashmir, scheduled to take place in less than 20 days. This election marks the first time the former state will hold an Assembly election in a decade. Ahead of the vote, mainstream regional parties, such as the National Conference and the People's Democratic Party, have voiced their support for resuming dialogue and diplomatic ties with Pakistan. However, the Bharatiya Janata Party has criticized these positions, accusing the Congress and its allies of supporting terrorism.
The shift in India's approach to Pakistan, as articulated by Jaishankar, signals a firm stance against terrorism and a determination to hold Pakistan accountable for its actions. This stance is likely to have a significant impact on the future of relations between the two countries. The upcoming elections in Jammu and Kashmir will also be closely watched as a potential indicator of public sentiment on the issue of Pakistan and the role of dialogue and diplomacy in the region.
Source: "Era Of Uninterrupted Dialogue Over": S Jaishankar's Big Statement On Pakistan