Jaishankar Reaffirms India’s Bilateral Approach in Relations with Pakistan

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has reaffirmed India’s stance on its diplomatic engagements with Pakistan, emphasizing that all relations and dealings will remain strictly bilateral. His statement dismisses any prospect of third-party mediation, reinforcing India’s firm approach to handling issues with its neighboring country.

Speaking at a recent international forum, Jaishankar clarified that India’s conversations with Islamabad will focus on core concerns, including cross-border terrorism and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). “Our relationship with Pakistan is not dictated by external forces. It is and will always remain a bilateral matter,” he stated.

The minister’s remarks come amid growing geopolitical discussions on South Asian stability. India has consistently maintained that international intervention is unwarranted in addressing its issues with Pakistan, citing past agreements such as the Simla Agreement (1972) and the Lahore Declaration (1999) as the foundation for resolving disputes through direct bilateral negotiations.India has frequently urged Pakistan to act against terror groups operating from its soil, calling for stricter enforcement against organizations involved in cross-border attacks.