S Jaishankar in Lok Sabha: Even Indira Gandhi Couldn't Change Pakistan's Fanatic Mindset

Union External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Friday criticized Pakistan over attacks on minorities, stating that the country is unable to change its "fanatical and bigoted mindset."

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar speaks in the Lok Sabha during the Budget session of Parliament, in New Delhi on Friday. (ANI Photo/Sansad TV)(Sansad TV)

Addressing Parliament, the minister remarked that even former Prime Minister and Congress leader Indira Gandhi had failed to alter Pakistan’s approach. Speaking in the Lok Sabha, Jaishankar emphasized that New Delhi is closely monitoring the treatment of minorities in Pakistan and consistently voicing its concerns.

During the Question Hour, in response to a supplementary query, Jaishankar highlighted 10 incidents of attacks on Hindus in Pakistan during February. Of these, seven involved abduction and forced conversion, two were related to abductions, and one pertained to "police action" against students celebrating Holi.

Persecution of Sikhs in Pakistan

He informed the House that there were three cases involving atrocities against members of the Sikh community. One case involved an attack on a Sikh family, another concerned threats made against a Sikh family for reopening an old Gurdwara, and the third case involved the abduction and forced conversion of a Sikh girl, the minister stated.

He further mentioned two cases affecting members of the Ahmadiyya community and another case where a Christian individual with an unstable mind was charged with blasphemy.

Jaishankar emphasized that India also raises such cases at the international level.

'2,400 incidents of attacks on minorities in Bangladesh'

"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," Jaishankar replied while addressing another follow-up question.

In response to a query about whether India intends to take "tough action" similar to former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi's approach toward Pakistan, Jaishankar stated that New Delhi is clearly communicating its stance. However, he emphasized that as a government and a nation, India cannot alter the extremist and intolerant mindset of its neighbor.

"Even Indira Gandhi could not do it," he noticed.

(This Article was originally published by Mint)