Jaishankar: India-Pakistan Ties Hinge on Terror-Free Environment
Aug 07, 2026
External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar on Friday reiterated that India’s relations with Pakistan can move forward only in an environment free from terrorism, hostility, and violence.
In a written reply in the Lok Sabha, Dr. Jaishankar said Pakistan continues to pursue cross-border terrorism and use it as an instrument of state policy against India.
He said that following the 2019 Pulwama terror attack, India withdrew Pakistan’s Most Favoured Nation (MFN) status and imposed a 200 per cent customs duty on all goods originating from or exported by Pakistan. India also took several diplomatic measures, including placing the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance, closing the Attari check-post, restricting visas, and downsizing diplomatic missions in both countries. He added that military action was undertaken against terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir.
Despite the strained relationship, Dr. Jaishankar informed the House that both countries continue to maintain diplomatic missions in each other’s capitals. He said functional engagements remain in place, including Director General of Military Operations (DGMO)-level talks, pre-notification of ballistic missile tests, exchange of lists of nuclear installations, and exchange of lists of prisoners in each other’s custody.
