India Reaffirms Bilateral Stance with Pakistan, Highlights Success of Operation Sindoor in Response to Pahalgam Attack
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, speaking on the sidelines of an event on Thursday, firmly reiterated that India’s engagement with Pakistan will remain strictly bilateral, a long-standing principle that reflects the national consensus.
He emphasized that this approach has not changed over the years and continues to be the bedrock of India’s diplomatic stance toward its western neighbor.
No Shift in India’s Core Policy Toward Pakistan
Responding to a question on whether recent hostilities could impact India’s Pakistan policy, Jaishankar was unequivocal:
“Let me clearly restate the position — India’s relations and dealings with Pakistan will be strictly bilateral. This has been the consensus at the national level for several years, and there is absolutely no change in that policy.”
He underlined that any third-party involvement or mediation is completely off the table, reinforcing India’s sovereign stand that matters concerning Pakistan, especially in the context of cross-border terrorism and regional disputes, will be addressed directly and without intermediaries.
International Support and UNSC Response to Pahalgam Attack
Jaishankar also spoke at length about the strong international support India received following the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, which claimed the lives of 26 civilians.
He highlighted that many global leaders, including foreign ministers, reached out to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and him personally, expressing solidarity with India.
“We had the support of many countries. The United Nations Security Council also adopted a resolution emphasizing that the perpetrators of the Pahalgam attack must be held accountable,” he said.
This multilateral backing paved the way for India to launch Operation Sindoor, a precision military operation conducted on the morning of May 7.
The operation targeted key terrorist infrastructure across the border and was seen as India’s direct response to the heinous act of terror in Pahalgam.
Retaliatory Action and Escalation by Pakistan
Following India’s precision strikes, Pakistan retaliated by attempting to strike Indian military installations on May 8, 9, and 10. However, these attempts were decisively countered by the Indian military.
Jaishankar remarked that India’s defense forces responded strongly, ensuring that any escalation was firmly addressed and kept under control.
“We clearly conveyed to Pakistan that our strikes were aimed at terror infrastructure, not military assets. We even advised them that their military had the option to stay out.
They chose not to heed that advice and suffered the consequences on May 10,” he added.
Jaishankar further cited satellite imagery and intelligence reports to assert that the damage inflicted by Indian forces was significant, while Pakistan’s retaliatory efforts caused minimal impact — a point he said made it evident who was more keen on ending the confrontation.
Talks Only on Terrorism, Not on Broader Diplomatic Engagement
Speaking about the broader diplomatic prospects with Pakistan, Jaishankar reiterated that New Delhi is open to dialogue—but only on the issue of terrorism. He made it clear that India expects Pakistan to dismantle the terror networks operating from its soil and hand over individuals listed as terrorists by Indian authorities.
“There is a list of terrorists with Pakistan. They are well aware of what needs to be done. We are ready to engage with them—only to discuss what steps they are willing to take on terrorism. The rest is not on the table.”
Indus Waters Treaty and Kashmir Discussion: India’s Firm Position
Addressing Pakistan’s plea for India to revisit its suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, Jaishankar said the treaty will remain in abeyance as long as cross-border terrorism continues.
He stated categorically that any resumption of treaty obligations would depend on Pakistan taking credible and irreversible action against terrorism emanating from its territory.
On the Kashmir issue, the minister made India’s position even more explicit:
“The only subject for discussion regarding Kashmir is when and how Pakistan will vacate the territory of Jammu & Kashmir it currently occupies illegally—Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. We are willing to have that discussion when they are ready.”
Outcome of Operation Sindoor: Strategic Victory and Clear Messaging
Jaishankar stressed that India achieved its strategic objectives through Operation Sindoor by effectively targeting and destroying terrorist bases without escalating the situation into a full-scale war.
He added that India’s messaging was precise and responsible, distinguishing between terrorism and military targets.
“We made it known in advance that our operations were directed against terrorism, not the military. But Pakistan ignored that and involved their military.
After they were hit hard on May 10, and the extent of their damage was clear from satellite images, they were the ones who sought cessation of hostilities,” Jaishankar said.
A Policy of Strength, Clarity, and Resolve
The External Affairs Minister’s statements make it evident that India’s policy toward Pakistan is anchored in clarity, strength, and realism.
The country remains firm in its stance that peaceful and constructive relations can only be built when Pakistan stops using terrorism as a tool of statecraft.
Until then, India’s engagements with its neighbor will remain bilateral, security-focused, and conditional upon tangible action against terror.
With Operation Sindoor, India has not only sent a strong signal to adversaries but also garnered global backing for its right to defend its citizens and sovereignty.
