Challenging to engage with a neighbour which promotes terrorism, says EAM Jaishankar

New Delhi (India), April 25, 2023: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar made a veiled criticism of Pakistan on Monday during his visit to Panama, stating that it is challenging to engage with a neighboring country that promotes cross-border terrorism against India.

The Foreign Minister of Panama, Janaina Tewaney Mencomo, and Jaishankar had a joint press briefing to discuss various bilateral topics, including trade and healthcare.

Jaishankar emphasized that it is difficult to establish a constructive relationship with Pakistan unless it stops endorsing, funding, and participating in cross-border terrorism. He added that India hopes to reach a stage where it can engage with Pakistan meaningfully.

Jaishankar is currently on a two-day visit to Panama and is scheduled to meet top representatives of the government, businesses, and civil society during his visit to Colombia. He will review bilateral relations with Colombia’s counterpart, Alvaro Leyva Duran, during his stay there. This visit will be the first Foreign Ministerial level visit to Colombia.

Following his visit to Colombia, Jaishankar will travel to the Dominican Republic, marking India’s highest-level visit to the country since the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1999. Jaishankar will hold talks with Foreign Minister Roberto Alvarez and deliver a talk at the Dominican Republic Foreign Ministry. The two leaders will also inaugurate India’s resident mission during the visit.

In a tweet, Jaishankar expressed his gratitude to Panama’s Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs Vladimir Francos for the warm reception. He added that he was looking forward to a packed bilateral and multilateral agenda.