External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has given a stern warning to Pakistan by asserting that India is not passive and actions will have consequences.
The same warning applies to those who support terrorist attacks on India.
Age Of “Uniterrupted Dialogue” Is Over
As far as Pakistan is concerned, the age of “uninterrupted dialogue” has ended, Jaishankar said on Friday.
He said that New Delhi stands ready to react to developments across the border “whether positive or negative”.
Jaishankar, who was has been a career diplomat, gave this message to Pakistan a day after it invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi for Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit meet.
Jaishankar Made This Observation At a Book Release Event
The External Affairs Minister made this observation while speaking at the launch of a book authored by veteran diplomat Rajiv Sikri at the Vivekananda International Foundation.
He posted on X, “Pleased to release Amb Rajiv Sikri’s book ‘Strategic Conundrums: Reshaping India’s Foreign Policy’ today. ”
The External Affairs Minister further said, “Spoke about our Neighbourhood First approach and multi-vector foreign policy.”
He said that relations in the neighbourhood were part of a continuity that had to be addressed in a dynamic manner.
“The issue is… what kind of relationship can we contemplate with Pakistan…” he responded to a question about ties with Pakistan.
About the author’s suggestion that India is content about continuing the relationship with Pakistan at the current level, Jaishankar said, “Maybe yes, maybe no.’’
India Is Not Passive
He added.,” 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.”
He said, ” I want you to reflect on the word ‘conundrums’.”
Jaishankar said, “ For every country in the world, neighbours are always a conundrum. Neighbouring relations are the most difficult.’’
He pointed out that major powers will always be a conundrum
A Double Conundrum In The Case of China
” In the case of China, you actually have a double conundrum.They are a neighbour and a major power.”
Neighbouring Relations Can Never Be Solved
Furthermore, he said, “ They can never be solved. They are continuing relationships which will always throw problems.’’
New Delhi has often voiced concerns over Pakistan’s support to cross-border terrorism.
Pakistan’s Industry-Level Sponsoring Of Terrorism
During a visit to Singapore in March, Jaishankar had lamented Pakistan’s “almost industry-level” sponsoring of terrorism and terror activities.
“How do you deal with a neighbour who does not hide the fact that they use terrorism as an instrument of statecraft? It’s not one-off… but very sustained, almost at an industry level.”
A couple of months earlier, Jaishankar re-emphasised India’s zero-tolerance stance on cross-border terrorism.
He had also made it clear New Delhi would not, under any circumstance, overlook terror attacks.
Elections In Jammu And Kashmir
Significantly, Jaishankar’s comments on dialogue with Pakistan are timely.
The second phase of elections in Jammu and Kashmir are scheduled later this month.
Regional Parties In Jammu And Kashmir Favour Dialogue Resumption
Both the National Conference and the People’s Democratic Party have spoken about resuming dialogue and diplomatic ties with Pakistan.
