India’s External Affairs Minister, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, declared on Friday that the era of “uninterrupted dialogue” with Pakistan has ended, signaling a firm stance in New Delhi’s approach to its western neighbor. Speaking at a private event, Jaishankar emphasized that India will respond to developments “whether positive or negative,” underscoring the country’s proactive posture.

“So far as Jammu and Kashmir is concerned, Article 370 is done. The issue [now] is what kind of relationship we can contemplate with Pakistan,” Jaishankar was quoted by Indian media. His remarks come ahead of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation’s (SCO) Council of Heads of Government (CHG) meeting, which Pakistan is set to host in October.

Jaishankar’s comments were made in the context of the broader geopolitical landscape, where the SCO—led by Russia and China—remains a crucial platform for India. The SCO is particularly important for regional security and collaboration with Central Asian nations. India, however, maintains a cautious stance within the organization, especially regarding China’s influence and its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which India has consistently refused to endorse.

Relations between India and Pakistan have been particularly strained since August 2019, when the Modi government unilaterally revoked the special status of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). Pakistan downgraded its diplomatic ties with India following this move, arguing that it undermined the prospects for meaningful dialogue. Islamabad has since linked any normalization of ties to the restoration of IIOJK’s special status.

Despite these tensions, both nations agreed to renew the 2003 ceasefire agreement along the Line of Control (LoC) in February 2021, marking a rare moment of cooperation. However, the latest statements from Jaishankar suggest that any further dialogue will be contingent on the evolving dynamics between the two countries, with India prepared to react to developments as they arise.

Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Foreign Office confirmed on Thursday that Islamabad has extended invitations to all heads of government of the SCO member states, including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, for the upcoming CHG meeting, despite the strained bilateral ties.