Pakistan’s Foreign Minister: Open to Dialogue with India, But Without Urgency
Pakistan’s Foreign Minister, Mohammad Ishaq Dar, stated on Wednesday that Islamabad is open to engaging in dialogue with India “upon request,” but is not actively seeking it, highlighting ongoing tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbors following a recent surge in cross-border hostilities.
Speaking at a press conference in the Pakistani capital, Islamabad, Dar said: “Whenever they request dialogue—at any level—we are ready. But we are not eager for it.”
Recent Escalation and Kashmir Crisis
The minister’s remarks come in the aftermath of four days of military exchanges last month between the two countries, involving airstrikes, missile attacks, drones, and artillery fire. The clashes concluded with a U.S.-brokered ceasefire agreement reached on May 10.
The escalation was triggered by an attack on April 22 in the Indian-administered section of Kashmir that killed 26 people, most of them tourists. New Delhi accused Pakistan-based armed groups of orchestrating the attack—a claim that Islamabad firmly denied.
Disputed Issues Hindering Dialogue
Minister Dar emphasized that Pakistan seeks a comprehensive dialogue with India that would include multiple issues such as the Kashmir dispute, shared water rights, and bilateral trade and diplomatic relations. However, he noted that India’s exclusive focus on “terrorism” has become a key obstacle to initiating broader negotiations.
