Parliament Question: Bilateral Relations between India and Pakistan

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO – 289 ANSWERED ON 07/08/2026 BILATERAL RELATIONS BETWEEN INDIA AND PAKISTAN †*289. SHRI DHARMENDRA YADAV

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:-

(a) the present status of bilateral relations between India and Pakistan since the Pulwama terror attack till date along with the changes that have taken place at the political, diplomatic and trade level between the two countries;

(b) the number of bilateral talks held between India and Pakistan at various levels during the last five years along with the issues discussed therein; and

(c) whether the Government still maintains that normal bilateral relations with Pakistan are not possible until cross-border terrorism ends, if so, the policy of the Government in this regard at present? 1ANSWER MINISTER OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (DR. SUBRAHMANYAM JAISHANKAR)

(a) to (c) A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (c) OF THE LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO 289 REGARDING “BILATERAL RELATIONS BETWEEN INDIA AND PAKISTAN” FOR ANSWER ON

07.08.2026 It is Government’s firm position that India’s relations with Pakistan can only move ahead in an environment free of terror, hostility and violence.

However, Pakistan continues to follow the policy of cross-border terrorism and using terrorism as an instrument of state policy against India.

Following the Pulwama terror attack, India withdrew Most Favoured Nation (MFN) Status to Pakistan, and hiked customs duty on all goods originating in or exported from Pakistan to 200%. Pakistan, subsequently, announced certain unilateral measures, including downgrading of diplomatic relations and suspension of bilateral trade with India.

In response to the Pahalgam terror attack perpetrated by Pakistan- sponsored terrorists on 22 April 2025, India took a number of diplomatic 2steps, including holding in abeyance the Indus Waters Treaty, closing the check-post in Attari, restricting visas, and downsizing diplomatic and official presence at the respective Missions. Military action targeting terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir was also undertaken.

At present, India and Pakistan maintain their respective diplomatic Missions in each other’s capital. Both sides continue to have functional engagements, including DGMO-level talks, exchange of pre-notification of flight testing of ballistic missiles, exchange of list of nuclear installations, and exchange of list of prisoners in each other’s custody.

India has made clear its approach of responding appropriately against cross-border terrorism and its infrastructure, not tolerating any form of blackmail and taking comprehensive steps to protect its citizens. These considerations shape India’s conviction that normal bilateral relations require an end to cross-border terrorism.

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