Islamabad: Pakistan's Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has called for a "composite dialogue" with India to address contentious issues between the two nations.
India, however, maintains that any discussions with Pakistan will be limited to terrorism and the return of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
Speaking in the Senate on Thursday, Dar announced that the ceasefire with India has been extended until May 18 but emphasised that a political dialogue would eventually be necessary to resolve ongoing disputes.
The tensions escalated following India's precision strikes under 'Operation Sindoor' on May 7, targeting terror infrastructure in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed 26 lives. In retaliation, Pakistan attempted attacks on Indian military bases on May 8, 9, and 10.
India and Pakistan reached an understanding on May 10 to end the conflict after four days of intense cross-border drone and missile strikes.
“We have told the world that we will hold a composite dialogue,” Dar, who is also the Deputy Prime Minister, said.
He also said that the Director Generals of Military Operations (DGMOs) of Pakistan and India would again get in contact on May 18.
The composite dialogue was launched in 2003 when General Pervez Musharraf was ruling Pakistan. It had eight baskets of components, containing all contentious issues between the two countries.
The dialogue was derailed after the 2008 Mumbai attacks and not restored in proper form.
Dar also warned that any attempt to block Pakistan's water through the unlawful suspension of the Indus Water Treaty would be treated as "an act of war".
Also on Thursday, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif extended an offer of talks to India, saying Pakistan is ready to engage "for peace".
India-Pakistan relations have steadily worsened following a series of terror attacks and military responses. The 2016 Pathankot Air Force base attack by Pakistan-based terror groups marked a sharp decline in ties, further aggravated by the Uri Army camp attack later that year.
Tensions escalated in 2019 when India conducted airstrikes on a Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorist training camp deep inside Pakistan on February 26, in retaliation for the Pulwama terror attack, which claimed 40 CRPF jawans.
The relationship deteriorated further after India revoked Jammu and Kashmir’s special status and bifurcated the state into two union territories in August 2019.
The already strained ties took another hit following the Pahalgam terror attack, deepening hostilities between the two nations.
(inputs from PTI)