Pakistan has once again offered to engage in meaningful dialogue with India. Shehbaz Sharif made this statement during a meeting with the British High Commissioner, but India's stance remains firm.
Pakistan Talks India: Pakistan is once again proposing peace talks with India. This time, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif himself has expressed his desire for his country to engage in serious and meaningful discussions with India. He made this statement during a formal meeting with British High Commissioner Jane Marriott. The meeting addressed regional conditions and India-Pakistan relations.
According to a government statement, Sharif appreciated Britain's role in de-escalating tensions amidst the India-Pakistan deadlock and reiterated that Pakistan favors resolving all outstanding issues through dialogue.
Reaction Following Operation Sindoor
Sharif's comment comes after India launched "Operation Sindoor" on May 7. This military action aimed to target terrorist hideouts and military infrastructure in Pakistan-occupied territories in response to the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir. This operation has clarified India's stance that it will now adopt a tough approach in response to terrorist attacks.
India Distrusts Pakistan's Intentions
The Indian government has not yet responded to this peace proposal. New Delhi believes that such announcements made by Pakistan from time to time are merely for show, aimed at reducing international pressure. India has already made it clear that no talks are possible until Pakistan ends terrorism from its soil.
History is Witness: Attack Follows Offers of Dialogue
Pakistan's offer of talks is nothing new. Such offers have been made many times before, but each time they have ended in betrayal and terrorism. Some key events:
Kargil War (1999): When India's then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee was extending a hand of peace through the Lahore bus journey, the Pakistani army simultaneously infiltrated Kargil. This was a major betrayal and resulted in a bloody war.
Agra Summit (2001): After Kargil, India again tried for talks. But in December of the same year, the Indian Parliament was attacked, carried out by Pakistan-backed terrorist organizations.
Mumbai Attacks (2008): Despite years of diplomacy and confidence-building efforts, Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba carried out the 26/11 attacks, in which 166 innocent people lost their lives. This incident pushed India-Pakistan relations back decades.
