"If We Ever Talk to Pakistan, It Will Be on Terror and PoK Only": PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday asserted that India would not entertain any discussion with Pakistan over Jammu and Kashmir, except to address two specific concerns — dismantling Pakistan's terrorist infrastructure and the return of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).

“Terror and talks cannot happen together... terror and trade can't happen together... and blood and water cannot flow together,” he declared. “If we ever talk to Pakistan, it will be on terror and PoK only,” he added. His remarks come amid speculation that Pakistan had attached 'conditions' to the recent ceasefire, including demands to reinstate the Indus Waters Treaty, which India had suspended as part of its non-military measures following the Pahalgam attack.

In his first address since the ceasefire ended nearly 100 hours of military confrontation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi issued a stern warning to Islamabad, accusing the Pakistani government and military of backing terrorism. He cautioned that such actions would ultimately "wipe you out" and stressed that Kashmir could not be treated as an isolated issue, but must be seen within the larger context of Pakistan’s continued support for cross-border terror.

India has long accused Pakistan of sponsoring cross-border terrorism to further its claim over Jammu and Kashmir, pointing to attacks like the 2001 Parliament assault, the 2008 Mumbai attacks, and strikes in Uri and Pulwama. Pakistan denies these allegations, but India maintains evidence links its 'deep state' to such incidents.

Investigations into the April 22 Pahalgam attack have further strengthened India’s accusations against Pakistan, with three of the five attackers identified as Pakistani nationals. The Resistance Front, believed to be a front for the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba, claimed responsibility for the deadly assault.

Further reinforcing India’s claims, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri pointed to Pakistan’s ties to global terrorism, citing the shelter given to former Al-Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden and the reported presence of Pakistani army officers at a ‘state funeral’ for terrorists killed in India’s Operation Sindoor. This operation was India’s military response to the Pahalgam attack, involving precision strikes on nine terror camps in Pakistan and PoK, including key Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed bases.​