India's Relations with Pakistan Remain Strictly Bilateral, Consensus Remains Unchanged

Strategic Insights -

The Indian government has consistently maintained that its dealings with Pakistan will be strictly bilateral, and this stance remains unchanged, according to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. In his first remarks since US President Donald Trump's comments on the Kashmir issue, Jaishankar clarified that India's relations with Pakistan will be bilateral, and there is "absolutely no change" in this consensus. He added that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has made it clear that any talks with Pakistan will be only on terror, and Pakistan has a list of terrorists who need to be handed over.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Indian government's stance on dealing with Pakistan remains strictly bilateral, in line with the 1972 Simla Agreement.
  • The Simla Agreement requires all disputes to be resolved through bilateral channels, without the involvement of a third party.
  • India is open to discussing terrorism with Pakistan but only on the condition that Pakistan takes concrete actions to shut down terrorist infrastructure.
  • The government position on Kashmir is that only the vacation of illegally occupied Indian territory in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir remains to be discussed with Pakistan.
  • Jaishankar credited the Indian military for holding the perpetrators of the Pahalgam terror attack accountable through Operation Sindoor on May 7.
  • Jaishankar's statement was a response to Trump's comments on the Kashmir issue, where he offered to work with India and Pakistan for a solution.
  • Jaishankar emphasized that the UN Security Council has underlined the need to hold the perpetrators of the Pahalgam terror attack accountable.

Statistics:

  • India's relations with Pakistan are strictly bilateral, with no change in this consensus, according to Jaishankar.
  • The Simla Agreement was signed in 1972 between India and Pakistan.
  • Pakistan has a list of terrorists who need to be handed over, requiring concrete actions from Pakistan.
  • India is open to discussing terrorism with Pakistan but only on the condition of concrete actions.
  • The Indian military successfully executed Operation Sindoor on May 7, holding the perpetrators of the Pahalgam terror attack accountable.

Sources:

  • "External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar says India's relations with Pakistan will be strictly bilateral." (The Indian Express, [Author Not Mentioned], 2025)
  • "India: No change in position on Pakistan, says Ministry." (Contify.com, [Original Published Date Not Mentioned])