MEA Randhir Jaiswal made this statement after Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had said he was “ready to talk” with India
India has laid down firm conditions for any future talks with Pakistan, saying dialogue can only take place once Islamabad hands over wanted terrorists and vacates Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).
This response came after Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif recently said he was “ready to talk” with India to resolve “longstanding issues.” Relations between the two neighbours have remained tense, especially after Operation Sindoor, which India launched in response to the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 civilians.
Speaking at a press briefing on Thursday, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India’s position on Pakistan has always been “clear and consistent.”
VIDEO | VIDEO | In response to a question on Pakistan PM Shahbaz Sharif’s statement (expressing a desire to engage in talks with India, including counterterrorism discussions), MEA spokesperson (@MEAIndia) Randhir Jaiswal said:
“I would like to begin by stating that our… pic.twitter.com/CmhAJNP2yy
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) May 29, 2025
“We want to reiterate that terrorism and talks cannot go hand in hand,” Jaiswal said. “As far as terrorism is concerned, the discussion will be solely about Pakistan handing over to India the terrorists from the list provided to them several years ago.”
He further stated that any talks on Jammu and Kashmir will only happen when Pakistan begins the process of vacating PoK.
“For Jammu and Kashmir, any bilateral talks will only take place regarding the timeline and process for Pakistan to vacate PoK (Pakistan-occupied Kashmir),” he added.
The MEA spokesman also made it clear that the Indus Waters Treaty will remain suspended till Pakistan “credibly and irrevocably” ends its support for cross-border terrorism.
“As far as the Indus Water Treaty is concerned, it will remain in abeyance till the time Pakistan credibly and irrevocably abjures its support to cross-border terrorism,” Jaiswal stated.
Quoting Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he added, “terror and talks cannot go together, terror and trade cannot go together, and water and blood cannot flow together.”
