India cannot change 'fanatical' mindset of neighbours, says EAM Jaishankar

New Delhi: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Friday said that the country is tracking "very closely" the treatment of minorities in Pakistan, and that India is making its position "well known" on the matter. Jaishankar also added that the country cannot change a neighbour's "fanatical and bigoted mindset". 

In response to a supplementary query during Question Hour in Lok Sabha, the External Affairs Minister pointed to 10 incidents involving attacks on Hindus in Pakistan in February.

Seven of these incidents related to abduction and forced conversion, two other cases related to abduction, and one in which there was "police action" against students celebrating Holi, the external affairs minister said.

He informed the House that there were also three cases related to atrocities against members of the Sikh community. In one case, a Sikh family was attacked; in another case, a Sikh family was threatened for reopening an old Gurdwara, and yet another case involved the abduction and conversion of a girl from the Sikh community, the minister said.

He added that two other cases involved members of the Ahmediya community, and another case in which a Christian person of unstable mind was charged with blasphemy.

Jaishankar said India also takes up such cases at the international level. "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 said, responding to another supplementary question.

Responding to a query on whether India plans "tough action" similar to Prime Minister Indira Gandhi's earlier stance against Pakistan, Jaishankar said that India is making its position "well known," but "we as a government and a country cannot change the fanatical and bigoted mindset of a neighbour." "Even Indira Gandhi could not do it," he added, reported PTI.