 "'Pakistan committed to ceasefire, reducing tensions with India:' Pak foreign minister declares after Op Sindoor")
Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has proposed a “composite dialogue” with India to address bilateral issues, stating in the Senate on Thursday (May 15) that the current ceasefire, extended until May 18, must lead to political talks to resolve tensions. India, however, has conditioned any dialogue on Pakistan addressing the return of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and tackling terrorism.
Dar also assured that Pakistan was committed to the ceasefire and de-escalation with India. “Pakistan as a responsible state remains committed to the ceasefire and to taking necessary steps toward de-escalation and regional stability,” he said.
On May 7, India conducted precision strikes under ‘Operation Sindoor’ targeting terror infrastructure, in retaliation for the April 22 Pahalgam attack that killed 26 people. Pakistan responded with attempted attacks on Indian military bases on May 8, 9, and 10.
India and Pakistan reached an understanding on May 10 to end the conflict after four days of intense cross-border drone and missile strikes.
“We have told the world that we will hold a composite dialogue,” Dar, who is also the Deputy Prime Minister, said.
He also said that the Director Generals of Military Operations (DGMOs) of Pakistan and India would again get in contact on May 18.
The composite dialogue was launched in 2003 when General Pervez Musharraf was ruling Pakistan. It had eight baskets of components, containing all contentious issues between the two countries.
The dialogue was derailed after the 2008 Mumbai attacks and not restored in proper form.
Dar also warned that any attempt to block Pakistan’s water through the unlawful suspension of the Indus Water Treaty would be treated as “an act of war”.
Also on Thursday, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif extended an offer of talks to India, saying Pakistan is ready to engage “for peace”.
Ties between India and Pakistan nose-dived after a terror attack on the Pathankot Air Force base in 2016 by terror groups based in the neighbouring country. Subsequent attacks, including one on an Indian Army camp in Uri, further deteriorated the relationship.
The relationship dipped further after India’s war planes pounded a Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorist training camp deep inside Pakistan on February 26, 2019 in response to the Pulwama terror attack in which 40 CRPF jawans were killed.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsThe relations deteriorated after India announced withdrawing the special powers of Jammu and Kashmir and bifurcation of the state into two union territories in August, 2019.
The already frosty ties were further impacted after the Pahalgam terror attack.
(With inputs from PTI)
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