Srinagar: India wants to have good relations with Pakistan that are free of terror but if it does not show it is changing its past behaviour, then there will be implications on bilateral ties, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said in the Lok Sabha on Friday.
The minister also said that trade relations had been disrupted due to certain decisions taken by Pakistan in 2019.
“I would like to inform the honourable member that in terms of improving ties with Pakistan, like any other neighbour, we would like to have good relations with Pakistan. But, like any other neighbour, we would also like to have relations free of terrorists,” he said during Question Hour.
This has been the position of the government of India, Jaishankar said.
“We have made it very clear that it is for the Pakistani side to show that they are changing their behaviour of the past and if they don’t, of course, there are implications on relations. So the ball is very much in Pakistan’s court in this regard,” he said.
Trade ties with Pakistan were snapped after the Centre abrogated Article 370, which gave special status to Jammu and Kashmir.
Meanwhile, External Affairs Minister assures Parliament on action against fake recruitment agencies after NC MP Mian Altaf raises issue
National Conference (NC) Member of Parliament Mian Altaf Friday raised a serious concern in Parliament regarding the increasing prevalence of fake recruitment agencies that ‘are exploiting innocent job seekers’.
Speaking during a Parliament session, Altaf called for the urgency of addressing the issue, highlighting that a growing number of young people from Jammu and Kashmir, as well as other parts of the country, have fallen victim to these deceitful agencies. These agencies often demand hefty fees upfront, only to vanish once the payment is made, leaving the job seekers in a state of despair.
“These agencies exploit the dreams of young men and women who are desperate to secure a better future abroad. They promise lucrative jobs in foreign countries, but once they collect the money, they disappear. This is a growing menace that needs immediate attention,” Altaf said.
He called for strong government intervention, urging the authorities to take stringent action against such fraudulent practices to protect vulnerable citizens.
In response to the concerns raised by the NC MP, External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar assured Parliament that the government is fully aware of the situation and has already taken measures to curb the activities of fake recruitment agencies. Jaishankar informed the House that the Ministry of External Affairs maintains an official portal where a list of licensed and verified recruitment agencies is readily available for public access. He urged citizens, particularly job seekers, to consult this portal and ensure they are dealing only with legitimate agencies.
“We are committed to protecting the interests of our citizens. The government has taken steps to increase awareness and ensure that only licensed agencies are allowed to operate. A comprehensive list of registered agencies is available on our portal, and I encourage everyone to use it before making any decisions related to foreign employment,” Jaishankar stated.
The Minister further assured that the government is working closely with various law enforcement agencies to track down and take action against illegal recruiters, and that awareness campaigns are being launched to educate the public about the dangers of falling victim to fake agencies.
Mian Altaf’s remarks shed light on the growing problem of fake recruitment in the country, urging the government to step up efforts to protect vulnerable citizens from such exploitation.
