Months after India's "Operation Sindoor," Pakistan has declared its readiness to engage in a "composite dialogue" with India on all outstanding issues, including the contentious issue of Jammu and Kashmir. This statement comes from Pakistan's Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, who conveyed this message on Friday, emphasizing that Pakistan would engage in a "dignified and respectful manner" but would not "beg for talks".

The relationship between the two countries had deteriorated following the deadly Pahalgam attack on April 22, which resulted in the deaths of 26 people. India retaliated with "Operation Sindoor" on May 7, targeting terror infrastructure. Pakistan responded with attacks on Indian military bases, leading to counter-attacks by Indian forces on Pakistani military installations. A ceasefire understanding was reached on May 10.

Despite the ceasefire, tensions remain, with Islamabad allegedly attempting to portray the conflict as a victory, claiming to have decimated several Indian jets. Dar has also reiterated that Pakistani forces demonstrated their capabilities during the conflict and warned against any further "provocation," stating Pakistan is ready to respond with full force to any aggression, even at sea.

India's Stance

India has maintained a firm stance, asserting that any dialogue with Pakistan would focus on the return of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) and the issue of terrorism. This position reflects India's concerns about cross-border terrorism and its territorial claims.

The "Composite Dialogue"

The "composite dialogue" framework, which Pakistan is now proposing, was initially launched in 2003 during the rule of General Pervez Musharraf. It encompassed eight baskets of components, addressing all contentious issues between the two countries. However, this dialogue process was derailed after the 2008 Mumbai attacks and has not been fully restored since.

Operation Sindoor

"Operation Sindoor" has been described by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh as a "striking demonstration of technology-driven warfare". Air Chief Marshal AP Singh highlighted the operation as an example of the Indian armed forces' ability to operate cohesively without major structural changes. The operation involved precision strikes on terror infrastructure in response to the Pahalgam attack. It showcased the effectiveness of India's indigenous defence platforms and weapon systems. According to the government, the strikes were executed without any loss of Indian assets, underscoring the effectiveness of India's surveillance, planning, and delivery systems. The Indian Air Force (IAF) reportedly bypassed and jammed Pakistan's Chinese-supplied air defence systems, completing the mission swiftly.

The operation is viewed as a calibrated military response to asymmetric warfare. It has also been described as a success story of "Atmanirbharta" (self-reliance), demonstrating the integration of indigenous hi-tech systems into national defence.

Recent Developments

Adding a humanitarian dimension to the complex relationship, India recently shared details about possible flooding in Pakistan. The Indian High Commission in Islamabad conveyed this information to the Pakistani Foreign Ministry, emphasizing that the communication was made entirely on humanitarian grounds.