"Difficult To Engage With Neighbour Who...": S Jaishankar On Pakistan

The External Affairs Minister made the remarks while addressing a joint press briefing with the Foreign Minister of Panama.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Monday (local time) took a veiled dig at Pakistan and said that it is very difficult to engage with a neighbour, who practices cross-border terrorism against India.

The External Affairs Minister made the above remarks while addressing a joint press briefing with the Foreign Minister of Panama, Janaina Tewaney Mencomo, in Panama City. The press briefing followed a discussion on several bilateral issues related to health and trade.

Mr Jaishankar said, "The bottom line on this issue is it is for us very difficult to engage with a neighbour who practices cross-border terrorism against us. We've always said that they have to deliver on the commitment not to encourage, sponsor and carry out cross-border terrorism. We continue to hope that one day we would reach that stage."

EAM Jaishankar is on a two-day visit to Panama. He arrived in Panama City on Monday and was received by Panama's Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs Vladimir Francos.