New Delhi shares a tense relationship with Islamabad, largely over claims to the troubled Kashmir region
Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar has lashed out at neighboring Pakistan, vowing that New Delhi will react with “consequences” to actions by Islamabad. The minister appeared to be referring to increased terrorist activity in Kashmir, a region over which the South Asian neighbors have fought several wars since their independence from Britain in 1947.
Speaking at an event in the Indian capital earlier this week, Jaishankar said: “The era of uninterrupted dialogue with Pakistan is over. Actions have consequences.”
He stressed that New Delhi is not “passive” and will “react” whether its relations with Islamabad take a positive or negative direction.
New Delhi has accused Pakistan of sponsoring cross-border terrorism both at domestic and international forums. While visiting Singapore earlier this year, Jaishankar asserted that India cannot “overlook” terrorism in its attempts to mend ties with Pakistan. Islamabad is sponsoring terrorism at almost an “industry level,” Jaishankar claimed, adding that India’s mood currently is not to overlook “terrorists.”
READ MORE: India steps up operations in Jammu and Kashmir after deadly attack
Relations between India and Pakistan have touched new lows after Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government abrogated Article 370 of Indian Constitution, that granted certain level of autonomy to Jammu and Kashmir. Islamabad reacted by downgrading ties with India. Last year, Pakistan has strongly rejected the Indian Supreme Court’s judgement upholding abrogation of Article 370.
