No talks till terror ends: India shuts door on Pakistan’s dialogue offer

India has firmly dismissed Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s recent overture for renewed dialogue, asserting that any form of engagement—be it on Kashmir, terrorism, trade, or the Indus Waters Treaty—remains off the table until Islamabad decisively and irreversibly halts its support for cross-border terrorism.

At a weekly media briefing on May 29, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal delivered a clear and uncompromising message: "Terror and talks cannot go together. Terror and trade cannot go together. And water and blood cannot flow together."

The statement comes in the wake of Sharif’s comments expressing Pakistan’s willingness to resume discussions with India across key issues, including counterterrorism and trade. However, India has made it unequivocally clear that no dialogue will proceed unless Pakistan hands over wanted terrorists and dismantles its terror infrastructure.

“As far as our engagement with Pakistan is concerned, our stand has been consistent,” said Jaiswal. “Talks on Jammu and Kashmir will only be held on the vacating of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Until then, the onus lies squarely on Islamabad to act.”

Indus Waters Treaty in limbo

India has also reaffirmed its suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, following the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam that killed 26 people, mostly tourists. The attack triggered a forceful Indian response, including precision strikes on terror camps under Operation Sindoor, which resulted in the elimination of over 100 militants.

“The Treaty will remain in abeyance until Pakistan credibly and irrevocably abjures its support for terrorism,” Jaiswal said.

Signed in 1960, the Indus Waters Treaty divides the six rivers of the Indus basin between the two countries. While India has exclusive rights to the eastern rivers—Ravi, Sutlej, and Beas—Pakistan benefits from the bulk of the basin through the western rivers—Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab. India has built several hydroelectric projects within treaty parameters, leveraging its share fully.

Pakistani PM’s remarks dismissed

Earlier this week, Prime Minister Sharif called for a return to dialogue, claiming Pakistan’s commitment to ending terrorism was genuine. He also accused India of trying to “threaten” Pakistan’s water supply—an allegation New Delhi has dismissed as baseless and ironic given the context.

“This is not possible, was never possible, and will not be possible, God-willing,” Sharif said, adding that Pakistan was taking steps to prevent any disruption to its water flow.

Military brinkmanship and ceasefire

Following the Pahalgam attack, tensions soared. India’s military response was met with retaliatory strikes from Pakistan, which were swiftly repelled by Indian forces. A ceasefire was eventually agreed upon after Pakistan’s Director General of Military Operations reached out to his Indian counterpart.

India’s stand — unyielding

India’s latest rebuttal underscores its hardened stance: no talks, no treaties, no trade — until terrorism ends. The message is stark and strategic, signalling that future cooperation hinges entirely on Pakistan’s willingness to act against terror—not just in rhetoric, but in verifiable reality.