In the wake of heightened tensions between India and Pakistan following the deadly Pahalgam terror attack, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has asserted India's firm stance on cross-border terrorism, stating that dialogue with Pakistan is contingent upon Islamabad handing over a list of terrorists and dismantling its terrorist infrastructure.

The already strained relations between the two nations took a severe hit after the April 22 attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, where terrorists opened fire on tourists, resulting in the death of 26 people. India held Pakistan responsible for the attack, a charge denied by Islamabad.

In response to the Pahalgam attack, India launched "Operation Sindoor" on May 7, targeting nine terror bases in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir. The operation aimed to decimate terrorist infrastructure belonging to Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), and Hizbul Mujahideen, while deliberately avoiding civilian and military installations. Wing Commander Vyomika Singh of the Indian Air Force emphasized that the targeted locations were carefully selected to prevent civilian casualties.

The strikes triggered a series of retaliatory actions from Pakistan, including drone and missile attacks, which India claims to have repelled. Amid escalating tensions, the United States, particularly Secretary of State Marco Rubio, engaged with both Indian and Pakistani officials to broker a truce.

Jaishankar conveyed India's intent to strike against terrorists in Pakistan to Rubio during a phone call on May 1. He also met with his Iranian counterpart, Abbas Araghchi, and Saudi Arabia's Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Adel Aljubeir, to share India's perspective on countering terrorism.

On May 8, Jaishankar declared India's intention to respond firmly to any Pakistani retaliation for "Operation Sindoor". He emphasized that while India's response was targeted and measured, any further military attacks would be met with a "very very firm response".

The halt in fighting came after India claimed to have killed over 100 terrorists in cross-border strikes under Operation Sindoor. The US played a behind-the-scenes role in pushing both sides towards a cessation of hostilities.

While a fragile calm has taken hold across the India-Pakistan border, tensions remain. India has made it clear that any future talks with Pakistan will be strictly bilateral and focused solely on the issue of terrorism. Jaishankar emphasized the national consensus that talks with Pakistan will only address terrorism, requiring Pakistan to hand over a list of terrorists and dismantle its terrorist infrastructure.

Defense Minister Rajnath Singh has called "Operation Sindoor" the biggest action taken by India against terrorism. India has also received international support, with Jaishankar noting that the perpetrators of the Pahalgam terror attack were held accountable through Operation Sindoor, in line with a UNSC resolution.