Jaishankar: Era of uninterrupted dialogue with Pakistan is over
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has signalled a distinct change in the government’s Pakistan policy, stating “the era of uninterrupted dialogue… is over” but acknowledging also that New Delhi stands ready to react to developments across the border “whether positive or negative”.
At a private event in Delhi this week, he also offered a stern “actions have consequences” warning to Pakistan, and those within who support terrorist attacks on India. “The issue is… what kind of relationship can we contemplate with Pakistan…” he responded to a question about ties with Pakistan.
On a suggestion that India is content for the relationship to continue as is, he said, “Maybe yes, maybe no… but what I do want to say is that we are not passive, and that whether events take a positive or negative direction… either way we will react.”
India’s relationship with Pakistan is volatile with border disputes in Jammu and Kashmir a regular flashpoint. New Delhi has often raised concerns over Pakistan’s support – financial and logistical – of cross-border terrorism, red-flagging these in bilateral and international forums.
In March Jaishankar, on a visit to Singapore, lamented Pakistan’s “almost industry-level” sponsoring of terrorism and terror activities, but stressed “India will not skirt this problem…”