Talks with Pakistan? Not Without PoK, India Says

Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar may have extended an olive branch to New Delhi, but India’s position on bilateral engagement remains crystal clear—there can be no dialogue until Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) and the menace of cross-border terrorism are addressed.

Speaking to the media, Dar emphasised that his country was prepared for a “composite dialogue” with India in a “dignified and respectful manner” on all issues, including Kashmir. Yet, he underlined that “Pakistan will not beg for talks”. His remarks recall the 2003 composite dialogue framework, launched under General Pervez Musharraf, which included eight components covering every contentious matter. That dialogue process collapsed after the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, never to be revived in full.

Dar went further, claiming that Pakistan’s diplomatic narrative had gained “global recognition”, portraying Islamabad as proactive and willing to engage. He also noted that Pakistan had not asked for mediation but was open to discussions at a neutral venue.

But the Indian stand is unwavering. For New Delhi, the question is not one of optics or “gesture diplomacy” but of fundamentals. Without Pakistan first vacating its illegal occupation of Kashmir and ending its sponsorship of terrorism, any talk of peace or dialogue is dismissed as hollow posturing. India has consistently maintained that there is nothing to negotiate beyond the return of PoK and an end to terror infrastructure across the border.

The larger question then arises: is Islamabad’s latest outreach a genuine attempt to reset ties, or merely a tactical move to project an image of flexibility abroad? To many in India, this sounds less like bridge-building and more like a public relations manoeuvre aimed at the international community rather than a credible peace initiative.

 

ALSO READ: https://www.benefitnews24.com/geo-politics/pak-s-dar-india-hit-nur-khan-rafiqui-airbases-/14336

Until Pakistan confronts the reality of its role in fostering instability, India’s door to dialogue will remain firmly shut. The road to talks lies not through grandstanding in the media, but through tangible steps—dismantling terror networks and acknowledging the legitimacy of India’s claims over PoK. Anything short of that is, at best, diplomatic theatre.