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Foreign ministers

India-Pakistan Relations: Era of Uninterrupted Dialogue is Over

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Foreign Minister S Jaishankar emphasized on Friday that India will not engage with Pakistan until it takes sustained and irreversible action against terrorism. This shift in policy comes as Pakistan has invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the SCO heads of government meeting in Islamabad in October, marking the first invitation for Modi to visit Pakistan since 2016. However, India's participation in the meeting remains uncertain due to the recent terror attacks in Jammu and the country's ongoing efforts to strengthen regional security.

Key Takeaways:

  • The era of uninterrupted dialogue with Pakistan is over, according to Foreign Minister S Jaishankar, who emphasized that actions have consequences and India will not engage with Pakistan until it takes sustained and irreversible action against terrorism.
  • The invitation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the SCO heads of government meeting in Islamabad in October marks the first invitation for Modi to visit Pakistan since 2016.
  • However, India's participation in the meeting remains uncertain due to the recent terror attacks in Jammu and the country's ongoing efforts to strengthen regional security.
  • The last time an Indian foreign minister visited Pakistan was in 2015, following which there was no progress in reviving dialogue between the two countries due to the Pathankot airbase attack.
  • Pakistan's hosting of the event as part of its rotating chairmanship of the council of heads of government has put India in a difficult position, as it weighs its options for high-level participation.

Statistics:

  • 2015: The last time an Indian foreign minister visited Pakistan.
  • 2023: Jaishankar represented India at the last heads of government meeting in Bishkek.
  • 8 years: The Saarc summit process has remained stalled since 2016 due to Pakistan's support for cross-border terrorism and Prime Minister Modi's refusal to visit Islamabad.
  • October 2023: Pakistan has invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the SCO heads of government meeting in Islamabad, marking the first invitation for Modi to visit Pakistan since 2016.

Sources:

  • [The Times of India, August 25, 2023]
  • [The Times of India, Friday, [no date mentioned]]
  • [press release from the Ministry of External Affairs]

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