In a firm reiteration of India’s foreign policy stance, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday, May 15, asserted that any future engagement with Pakistan would be strictly limited to the issue of terrorism. Speaking in New Delhi, he made it clear that India’s position remains unchanged and is guided by a consistent national consensus rooted in clarity and strength.
“Our interactions with Pakistan will remain strictly bilateral. That has been the national consensus for many years, and there is absolutely no shift in that,” Jaishankar stated. He underscored that any dialogue with Islamabad would focus exclusively on counter-terrorism. “The Prime Minister has made it unequivocally clear – talks with Pakistan will only be about terrorism. Pakistan is aware of what it needs to do: hand over the listed terrorists and dismantle the terror infrastructure.”
Referring to Operation Sindoor, conducted on May 7 in response to the Pahalgam terror attack, the Minister highlighted the widespread international support India received. “We secured strong backing from the international community. A UNSC resolution called for accountability, and on May 7, accountability was enforced through Operation Sindoor,” he noted.
Jaishankar also revealed that satellite imagery confirmed the success of the Indian strikes, demonstrating the significant damage inflicted on the adversary. “They suffered heavy losses on the morning of May 10. The satellite images clearly show the extent of the damage they sustained versus the minimal impact on us. It is evident who was seeking a cessation of hostilities,” he said.
On the issue of water sharing, Jaishankar announced that the Indus Waters Treaty remains suspended, citing Pakistan’s ongoing support for cross-border terrorism. “The treaty will remain in abeyance until there is credible and irreversible action from Pakistan to stop terrorism,” he stated.
Addressing the Kashmir issue, the minister reiterated India’s long-standing position: “The only matter left to discuss regarding Kashmir is the return of illegally occupied Indian territory in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. We are open to discussing that.”
