KATHMANDU, May 15: Indian Ambassador to Nepal Naveen Srivastava has said that a ceasefire with Pakistan will be possible only if Pakistan stops supporting cross-border terrorism.
Speaking to a group of journalists, academics, and think tank members at his residence on Wednesday, Ambassador Srivastava stated that the current situation with Pakistan is merely a "cessation of hostilities." He emphasized that India will be compelled to respond if Pakistani soil continues to harbor terrorist elements that carry out cross-border attacks.
Providing updates on India’s recent military action targeting terrorist hideouts in Pakistan, Srivastava said that India's operations have set a "new normal." He noted that India would not hesitate to strike terrorist elements not only in Pakistan-administered Kashmir but in any part of Pakistan. He added that India would continue such actions in the future if cross-border terrorism persists.
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India and Pakistan reached a “ceasefire” agreement on May 10, following four days of intense shelling and missile exchanges that brought both countries to the brink of a full-scale war amid rapidly escalating tensions. The conflict was triggered by a deadly attack on April 22, when gunmen killed at least 26 civilians, including a Nepali national, in Pahalgam, located in Indian-administered Kashmir. A little-known militant group, The Resistance Front (TRF), initially claimed responsibility. India, however, accused Pakistan of backing the group—an allegation Pakistan strongly denies.
In response, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi vowed retaliation, heightening fears of open conflict between the two nuclear-armed neighbors.
Ambassador Srivastava said that authorities in both India and Nepal have strengthened security along the border and increased vigilance following the Pahalgam attack to prevent the infiltration of criminal elements. While Nepal has deployed additional Armed Police Force (APF) personnel, India has increased the presence of Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) troops and intensified joint patrolling along the border.
He also mentioned that additional security measures have been implemented at airports and other border entry points between Nepal and India. He assured that the supply chain between the two countries would remain unaffected and that all foreign nationals, including Nepalis in India, would be taken care of, regardless of the conflict situation.
Responding to a question from the participants, Ambassador Srivastava said the possibility of reviving SAARC—as proposed by several member states including Nepal—is now nearly impossible following the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam. He reiterated that cross-border terrorism from Pakistan must end before any discussion of reviving SAARC can take place.
