External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Friday sent out a stern message to Pakistan declaring that the era of “uninterrupted dialogue” is over. He also warned that “actions have consequences” in an apparent reference to Pakistan-sponsored terrorism.
Making these assertions at a book launch event here, he reaffirmed New Delhi’s position that terror and talks cannot go together.
The Minister’s comments on dialogue with Pakistan came in the backdrop of elections in Jammu and Kashmir in less than 20 days.
“The era of uninterrupted dialogue with Pakistan is over. Actions have consequences,” Jaishankar said.
“So far as Jammu and Kashmir is concerned, Article 370 is done with. So, the issue is what kind of relationship we can contemplate with Pakistan,” Jaishankar said, making it clear that there would be no compromise on this matter.
He also stressed that India would not remain passive in its dealings 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,” the Minister added.
On a suggestion that India is content with the relationship to continue as it is, he said, “Maybe yes, maybe no... 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.”
In his address, Jaishankar also said for any country in the world, neighbours are “always a conundrum”, and so are “major powers”.
Major powers will be a conundrum because they are major, because of the breadth of their interests. They will always have an agenda, which will overlap with us, but to differing degrees, also diverge, he said.
In the case of China, you have a “double conundrum”, because it’s a neighbour and a major power. So, the challenges with China fits this double definition, he added.
The book “Strategic Conundrum: Reshaping India’s Foreign Policy” by former diplomat Rajiv Sikri talks about India’s relationship with its neighbouring countries and the accompanying challenges.
The Minister also said there is a debate in the neighbourhood about SAARC and BIMSTEC, and “all of you know the difference”. That is a contrast which illustrates some of the challenges and opportunities of “regionalisation”, he said.
“The real issue is that of overlapping identities versus forging new ones. So, everywhere there is history at play, but there is politics that often contests history and this in a way is a perennial challenge for India’s relationships with all its neighbours,” Jaishankar said.
On India’s ties with Afganistan, Jaishankar said there is actually a “strong people-to-people relations”, at the societal level, adding there is a certain goodwill for India.
The minister previously stated that the Centre cannot “overlook” terrorism in an effort to improve relations with Pakistan. He noted that terrorism has become almost an “industry level” issue in Pakistan, and India’s current mood is not to tolerate such threats.
He also addressed the situation in Bangladesh, which has faced political instability following Sheikh Hasina’s ouster, as well as law and order challenges, including attacks on the minority Hindu community.
“It is natural we will deal with the government of the day,” Jaishankar said, while recognising that regime changes can be disruptive.
He underlined the need for mutual interest and cooperation, saying, “Neighbours are always a conundrum...Tell me which country is there that doesn’t have challenges with neighbours?”
