In a move that has reignited diplomatic debate, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has expressed his willingness to engage in a “meaningful dialogue” with India to resolve all outstanding issues, including Jammu and Kashmir, water, trade, and terrorism. His remarks came during a telephonic conversation with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on June 25, just over two months after the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 civilians in Jammu and Kashmir.
India Responds: “Terror and Talks Cannot Go Together”
India has firmly rejected the overture, reiterating its long-standing position that dialogue is impossible without credible action against cross-border terrorism. External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal emphasized that the Indus Waters Treaty remains suspended, and all trade ties with Pakistan are frozen until Islamabad “credibly and irrevocably abjures its support to terrorism”.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had earlier stated,
“Terror and talks cannot go together, terror and trade cannot go together, and water and blood cannot flow together.”
Operation Sindoor and the Fallout
Sharif’s outreach follows Operation Sindoor, India’s retaliatory military campaign launched on May 7, targeting terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The strikes were in response to the April 22 Pahalgam attack, allegedly carried out by Lashkar-e-Taiba operatives. The operation led to four days of intense cross-border clashes, ending in a ceasefire on May 10.
Critics Call It a Diplomatic Smokescreen
Analysts and Indian officials have dismissed Sharif’s statement as “diplomatic posturing”, pointing to Pakistan’s dubious record on curbing terrorism. Despite repeated calls for peace, Islamabad has yet to take concrete steps to dismantle terror networks operating from its soil.
What Lies Ahead?
While Pakistan continues to push for comprehensive talks, India remains steadfast in its demand for accountability and action. With tensions still simmering and no backchannel diplomacy confirmed, the prospects for renewed dialogue appear bleak.
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