In his speech at an event here, he reiterated his earlier statements on relations with India, stating that Pakistan has always wanted to have good relations with India.
"To the east of our country, the relationship with India has historically been problematic. Pakistan does not believe in perpetual hostility. We seek good neighborly relations with India on the basis of mutual respect, sovereign equality and a just and peaceful resolution of the long-standing conflict between Jammu and Kashmir," Dar said.
However, he also emphasized that while Pakistan would take all necessary steps to ensure better relations with India, it would not refrain from responding effectively to any Indian military misadventure.
"We also take all necessary measures to maintain strategic stability in South Asia and will respond effectively and decisively to any ill-considered military misadventure" in New Delhi, he added.
His remarks come at a time when Prime Minister Narendra Modi has assumed office for the third consecutive term, leading a National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government.
Dar hoped that Prime Minister Modi's new term would use this opportunity to forge a more sober reflection on the future of India-Pakistan relations.
"In our view, as the BJP-led NDA government begins a new term, it is time for serious reflection on the future of India-Pakistan relations and the cross-cutting issues affecting the entire region," he said. .
He maintained that India's decision to abrogate Articles 370 and 35A to change the special status of the state of Jammu and Kashmir through what it termed as a unilateral and illegal action on August 5, 2019, had adversely affected the overall environment of bilateral relations between the two countries.
"India remains responsible for taking necessary steps to create an enabling environment for purposeful engagement and results-oriented dialogue on all issues," he said.
However, he said that in this context, it is equally important for India to "avoid its relentless smear campaign against Pakistan", end its alleged "state sponsorship of terrorism and extrajudicial killings within Pakistan" and "take tangible steps to make advance the relationship." in a positive direction."
"To the east of our country, the relationship with India has historically been problematic. Pakistan does not believe in perpetual hostility. We seek good neighborly relations with India on the basis of mutual respect, sovereign equality and a just and peaceful resolution of the long-standing conflict between Jammu and Kashmir," Dar said.
However, he also emphasized that while Pakistan would take all necessary steps to ensure better relations with India, it would not refrain from responding effectively to any Indian military misadventure.
"We also take all necessary measures to maintain strategic stability in South Asia and will respond effectively and decisively to any ill-considered military misadventure" in New Delhi, he added.
His remarks come at a time when Prime Minister Narendra Modi has assumed office for the third consecutive term, leading a National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government.
Dar hoped that Prime Minister Modi's new term would use this opportunity to forge a more sober reflection on the future of India-Pakistan relations.
"In our view, as the BJP-led NDA government begins a new term, it is time for serious reflection on the future of India-Pakistan relations and the cross-cutting issues affecting the entire region," he said. .
He maintained that India's decision to abrogate Articles 370 and 35A to change the special status of the state of Jammu and Kashmir through what it termed as a unilateral and illegal action on August 5, 2019, had adversely affected the overall environment of bilateral relations between the two countries.
"India remains responsible for taking necessary steps to create an enabling environment for purposeful engagement and results-oriented dialogue on all issues," he said.
However, he said that in this context, it is equally important for India to "avoid its relentless smear campaign against Pakistan", end its alleged "state sponsorship of terrorism and extrajudicial killings within Pakistan" and "take tangible steps to make advance the relationship." in a positive direction."
