‘India Wants Good Relations With Pakistan, But…’: EAM Jaishankar In LS On Bilateral Ties, Bangladesh Violence

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar stated on Friday that India seeks amicable relations with Pakistan, similar to its other neighbours, but emphasised that such ties must be free from terrorism.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar speaks in the Lok Sabha during the Winter session of Parliament, in New Delhi, Friday, Dec. 13, 2024.

Source : PTI

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar stated on Friday that India seeks amicable relations with Pakistan, similar to its other nighbour, but emphasised that such ties must be free from terrorism. Speaking in Lok Sabha, he highlighted that it is up to Pakistan to demonstrate a change in its past behaviour, warning that failure to do so will have implications on bilateral ties.

As per the report by news agency ANI, BJP MP Naveen Jindal had inquired about the steps taken by the Indian government to enhance ties with Pakistan and the measures aimed at boosting trade and commerce between the two nations.

Reacting to MP Naveen Jindal's question, Jaishankar answered, "In terms of improving ties with Pakistan, like any other neighbour, we would like to have good ties. But like with any other neighbour, we would also like to have ties free of terrorism. So, this has been the position of the government. We have made it very clear that it is for the Pakistani side to show that they are changing their behaviour of the past and that if they don't, of course, there are implications for the relationship and for them. So, I think the ball is very much in Pakistan's court in this regard."

Lashing out over the disruption in trade with India, he highlighted that the result is the outcome of the decision taken by the Pakistani government in 2019. This is a matter which they initiated and India has an agnostic position on it. He also added India's repeated role in raising concerns over Pakistan's support of cross-border terrorism, asserting that terror and talks cannot go simultaneously.

In October, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar identified cross-border terrorism, extremism, and separatism as the "three evils" obstructing trade, travel, and people-to-people connections between nations. 

Speaking at the 23rd Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Heads of Government meeting, Jaishankar subtly criticised Pakistan, asserting that when cross-border activities are marked by these evils, they are unlikely to promote trade, energy cooperation, connectivity, or cultural exchanges. Jaishankar also attended the SCO meeting, which was chaired by Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

"But most of all, our endeavours will progress only when our commitment to the Charter remains firm. It is axiomatic that development and growth require peace and stability. And as the Charter spelt out, this means being firm and uncompromising in countering the 'three evils'. If activities across borders are characterized by terrorism, extremism and separatism, they are hardly likely to encourage trade, energy flows, connectivity and people-to-people exchanges in parallel, " Jaishankar said, ANI reported.

In May last year, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar remarked that "victims of terrorism do not sit with perpetrators of terrorism." Speaking at a press conference following the SCO Council of Foreign Ministers meeting in Goa, Jaishankar criticised Pakistan's then-Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari for his comments on "weaponising terrorism."

Jaishankar asserted that victims of terrorism do not engage in dialogue with those responsible for terrorism but instead defend themselves, counter such acts, and expose them. He condemned the hypocrisy of attempting to equate victims and perpetrators, saying, "To come here and preach as if we are in the same boat is hypocritical."

Jaishankar Expresses Concern Over Hindus In Bangladesh

Over the ongoing crisis in Bangladesh, EAM S Jaishankar also expressed concern over the treatment of Hindus. He described the violence against minorities in Bangladesh as a "source of concern."

"With regard to the treatment of minorities in Bangladesh, it has been a source of concern. There have been multiple incidents of attacks on them. We have drawn our concern to their attention. Recently Foreign Secretary, Vikram Misri, visited Dhaka. This subject came up during his meeting and it is our expectation that in its own interest, Bangladesh would take measures so that its minorities are safe," Jaishankar answered the question raised by AIMIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi in the Lok Sabha.

AIMIM Chief Asaduddin Owaisi asked, "We have committed USD 10 billion to the development of Bangladesh. What steps is this government taking to ensure that Hindus in Bangladesh are protected and temples are protected?"

Foreign Secretary Misri told news agency ANI in Dhaka amid his visit to Bangladesh, "We also discussed recent developments and I conveyed our concerns including those related to the safety and welfare of minorities. We also discussed regrettable incidents of attacks on cultural and religious properties... I emphasised that India desires a positive, constructive and mutually beneficial relationship with Bangladesh. I have underlined today India's desire to work closely with the interim government of Bangladesh Authority".