Islamabad: Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar has said that India’s so-called “new normal” narrative has been buried, and any future dialogue with New Delhi will only take place on the principle of equality.

While speaking to journalists in Islamabad, Dar emphasized Pakistan’s stance regarding Afghanistan, reiterating that Islamabad had only one demand from Kabul — to take decisive action against the outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), either by handing over its members to Pakistan or by pushing them away from Pakistan’s borders. He added that Pakistan would carefully review the protest note sent recently by the Afghan government.

On the subject of dialogue with India, the Deputy Prime Minister stated that the idea of a “new normal,” which India tried to impose after its unilateral steps in August 2019 regarding Jammu and Kashmir, is no longer acceptable. “That narrative has been buried. If negotiations are to happen with India, they will only happen on an equal footing,” Dar maintained.

He further clarified that Pakistan was not desperate for dialogue, nor was it seeking external pressure to push New Delhi towards talks. “If India wants dialogue, that’s fine, but if it doesn’t, that is also not a problem for us. We are not asking anyone to force negotiations,” he asserted.

Dar also hinted at expanding diplomatic outreach by making a reference to Pakistan-Armenia relations. He pointed out that since Azerbaijan and Armenia, long-time rivals, had now moved towards settling their disputes, there should be no obstacle for Pakistan in establishing ties with Armenia as well.

Extended Analytical Article (Approx. 800 words)

A Shift in Rhetoric: From Compulsion to Confidence

Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar’s latest remarks mark an important rhetorical shift in Pakistan’s foreign policy narrative. For decades, Pakistan’s stance towards India has oscillated between seeking international mediation and insisting on bilateral engagement under the framework of the Simla Agreement. However, Dar’s assertion that Pakistan neither seeks nor requires external compulsion for dialogue reflects growing confidence in Islamabad’s diplomatic positioning.

The phrase “on the basis of equality” is particularly significant. It signals Pakistan’s rejection of any talks that would be framed around India’s terms, especially after New Delhi’s move to revoke the special constitutional status of Jammu and Kashmir in August 2019. That decision, accompanied by heavy militarization of the region, was followed by India’s consistent refusal to engage with Pakistan at the diplomatic level. By declaring India’s “new normal” narrative as “buried,” Dar has essentially reasserted that Pakistan will not normalize relations under the post-2019 status quo.

The Kashmir Dimension

Kashmir remains the core dispute between the two nuclear-armed neighbors. India’s attempt to change the demographic and political landscape of Jammu and Kashmir through constitutional amendments has been consistently opposed by Pakistan. In this context, Dar’s words carry weight. They suggest that Pakistan will neither soften its position on Kashmir nor accept India’s unilateral changes as a permanent reality.

By framing equality as the basis for talks, Pakistan is sending a clear message: no dialogue will proceed unless Kashmir remains part of the agenda. This sets the stage for potential diplomatic deadlocks, but also strengthens Pakistan’s moral and political position in the eyes of its domestic audience and international observers who advocate for peaceful dispute resolution.

Relations with Afghanistan and Regional Security

Dar also touched upon Afghanistan, another central component of Pakistan’s foreign policy challenges. His remarks highlighted Pakistan’s concerns regarding the TTP, which continues to launch cross-border attacks on Pakistani security forces and civilians. The Deputy Prime Minister underscored that Pakistan’s demand from Afghanistan has been consistent and limited: action against the TTP.

Afghanistan’s recent diplomatic protests against Pakistan, often expressed through formal notes, have been downplayed by Islamabad. Dar’s calm acknowledgment that Pakistan will “review the reasons” behind Kabul’s latest protest reflects a balancing act — avoiding escalation while reiterating Pakistan’s security concerns. The subtext here is clear: Pakistan views Afghan reluctance to act against the TTP as a breach of trust, while still leaving the door open for dialogue with Kabul.

The Armenia-Azerbaijan Angle

Perhaps the most interesting part of Dar’s remarks was his reference to relations with Armenia. Traditionally, Pakistan has avoided establishing formal ties with Armenia due to its strong alliance with Azerbaijan. But now, as Baku and Yerevan move towards peace after years of conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh, Islamabad appears to be reassessing its approach.

Dar’s statement signals that Pakistan is open to expanding its diplomatic horizons, even towards countries it once kept at arm’s length. This is in line with Islamabad’s broader strategy of diversifying its international partnerships, particularly at a time when South Asian geopolitics remain tense. Strengthening ties with Armenia could also indirectly give Pakistan more diplomatic leverage in its dealings with India, as Yerevan has traditionally enjoyed closer ties with New Delhi.

Message to India: No Rush, No Pressure

The Deputy Prime Minister’s declaration that Pakistan is not pleading for talks with India is perhaps the strongest message to come out of Islamabad in recent months. It suggests that Pakistan feels less isolated diplomatically than in the past, thanks to its active role in forums such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), and its warming ties with Gulf states, China, and even Central Asian republics.

By making it clear that Pakistan is in no rush, Dar’s comments are designed to project confidence. They also aim to counter the narrative often propagated by Indian media that Pakistan is desperate for talks. Instead, Islamabad is presenting itself as willing, but not needy. This stance allows Pakistan to protect its domestic credibility while also sending a signal to the international community that it is committed to peace — but not at the cost of dignity or equality.

Conclusion

Ishaq Dar’s remarks represent more than just a passing comment. They reflect a recalibration of Pakistan’s diplomatic posture — one that is more assertive, less dependent on external mediation, and rooted in the principle of sovereign equality. Whether India will respond to this approach remains uncertain. However, what is clear is that Pakistan is determined to avoid being cornered into accepting a dialogue framework that undermines its position on Kashmir or other national security concerns.