Pakistan has indicated its willingness to engage in ‘composite’ talks with India amid a continued rift between the two nations. Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar told the media on Friday evening that Islamabad was willing to discuss “all outstanding issues” including Kashmir — but insisted that his country would not “beg for talks”. New Delhi has repeatedly insisted in recent months that it will only interact with Pakistan about the return of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and the issue of terrorism.
Ties between the two countries had come under severe strain following the deadly Pahalgam attack in April. India had subsequently launched Operation Sindoor — executing precision strikes against terror infrastructure and later retaliating to Pakistani attacks. Islamabad also launched an attack against Indian military bases in early May as the clash between the two nuclear armed neighbours continued to escalate. The Indian forces launched a fierce counter-attack on several Pakistani military installations. India and Pakistan had eventually reached an understanding on May 10 after four days of intense cross-border drone and missile strikes.
Ready for composite dialogue
“Pakistan is ready for a composite dialogue with India in a dignified and respectful manner on all outstanding issues, including the Jammu and Kashmir dispute as per its longstanding position on the matter,” Dar said during a media interaction.
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 never restored to its original form.
‘Pakistan also ready to respond with full force to India if…’
Top Indian officials have since confirmed that six Pakistani aircraft – including five fighter jets and another large plane — were downed during the clash. Pakistani Defence Minister Khawaja Asif had denied the statement in early — vehemently insisting that not a single aricraft was hit or destroyed by India during the conflict. Others including Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif have admitted to some casualties while claiming without evidence that Islamabad shot down five Indian jets.
Despite the somewhat contradictory claims put forth by top leaders, Dar claimed on Friday that the Pakistani narrative was accepted and acknowledged at the global level through proactive diplomacy. The Deputy Prime Minister also insisted that Pakistani forces proved their prowess in the air and on land in the conflict with India and warned of responding fully to “any provocation”.
“Pakistan is also ready to respond with full force to India in case any aggression is committed, even through sea,” he said.
(With inputs from agencies)