“Era Of Uninterrupted Dialogue With Pakistan Is Over”: S Jaishankar
During a book launch event in Delhi, External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar stated “we will react” and that India will no longer pursue a “passive” approach while referring to the relationship with neighbouring Pakistan.
He said that the “era of uninterrupted dialogue” with the country is over and that actions will have “consequences.” Jaishankar also clarified that “Article 370 is done” in Jammu and Kashmir.
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“The era of uninterrupted dialogue with Pakistan is over. Actions have consequences. So far as Jammu and Kashmir is concerned, Article 370 is done. So, the issue is what kind of relationship we can contemplate with Pakistan,” the External Affairs Minister stated.
Speaking at the event, Jaishankar emphasised that India’s focus is on determining the nature, whether positive or negative, of future relations with its neighbour. “What I do want to say is that we are not passive, and whether events take a positive or a negative direction, either way, we will react,” he said.
Amid tensions between the two nations, Jaishankar’s remarks signal a significant shift in India’s diplomatic approach in the future.
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With the Kashmir issue and the cross-border terrorism as primary issues, Islamabad and New Delhi have continued witnessing a strained relationship.
Addressing India’s recent troubles with other neighbouring countries such as Bangladesh and the Maldives, the external affairs minister said, “For every country, neighbours are always a conundrum. They can never be solved. They are continuing relationships, which will always throw up problems.”
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Earlier in May, at the annual general meeting of the Confederation of Indian Industries (CII), Jaishankar stated that India has been straight with Pakistan. He also accused the previous Imran Khan-led government of disparaging the relationship between the two countries.
