Era Of Uninterrupted Dialogue With Pakistan Is Over: EAM Jaishankar

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Friday said that the "era of uninterrupted dialogue with Pakistan is over".

Speaking at a book launch event in Delhi, the minister said, "The era of uninterrupted dialogue with Pakistan is over. Actions have consequences. So far as J&K is concerned, Article 370 is done. So, the issue is what kind of relationship we can contemplate with Pakistan...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.

Islamabad and New Delhi share a long history of strained relations, largely stemming from the Kashmir dispute and cross-border terrorism originating from Pakistan. India has consistently stated its desire for normal neighbourly relations with Pakistan but emphasizes that the responsibility lies with Islamabad to foster an environment free of terror and hostility for such engagement.

Tensions escalated when Pakistan downgraded its diplomatic ties with India following the abrogation of Article 370 by the Indian Parliament on August 5, 2019.

Meanwhile, Pakistan on Thursday invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation's Council of Heads of Government meeting to be held here in October.

As the current holder of the rotating chairmanship of the SCO Council of Heads of Government (CHG), Pakistan will be hosting this two-day in-person meeting in October.

EAM On Neighbours

Jaishankar remarked that neighbours are always a conundrum and questioned which country doesn't face challenges with its neighbours.

Regarding Bangladesh, he said that it is natural for India to engage with the government in power. He acknowledged that political changes can be disruptive, but emphasized the importance of focusing on mutual interests in such situations.

On the Maldives, Jaishankar pointed out that India's approach has seen ups and downs, partly due to a lack of consistency. He highlighted that India is deeply invested in this relationship, and there is a recognition in the Maldives that India serves as a steady force, especially when the country faces economic challenges.

On the topic of Afghanistan, Dr. Jaishankar noted that people-to-people relations remain strong at a societal level. He stated that after reviewing India's Afghanistan policy, the government is now clear about its interests, without being influenced by inherited wisdom.

He also added that Afghanistan with the presence of America is very different from Afghanistan without it.