India Can’t Change “Fanatical, Bigoted Mindset” Of Pakistan: S Jaishankar

New Delhi:

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, speaking in Lok Sabha on Friday, highlighted incidents involving attack on minorities in Pakistan and Bangladesh.

The minister said New Delhi is tracking “very closely” the treatment of minorities in Pakistan and making its position “well known”, but the country cannot change the “fanatical and bigoted mindset” of a neighbour.

Seven of these incidents are related to abduction and forced conversion, two other cases linked to abduction, and one to “police action” against students celebrating Holi, S Jaishankar said.

The external affairs minister said India also takes up such cases at the international level.

Responding to another supplementary question, he said, “Like in Pakistan, we track the welfare and well-being of minorities in Bangladesh as well … In 2024, we had 2,400 incidents relating to attacks on minorities and in 2025, 72 incidents … I have taken it up with my counterpart there. The foreign secretary also took it up when he visited Bangladesh. This continues to be a matter of concern for our government.” BJP’s Nishikant Dubey pointed out that there had been four agreements between India and Pakistan, including the Nehru-Liaquat Pact of 1950 to ensure protection of minorities, and sought to know whether these agreements need to be redone, and if India will raise the matter at the United Nations forum.

Responding to this, S Jaishankar said, “We have responded to the situation of minorities in different ways. Many of the agreements that the honourable member has referred to, do not apply anymore in reality, because there were commitments made by Pakistan for protection of its minorities, which it did not live up to”.