The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Thursday, 2 July firmly reiterated India's long-standing position that peace and terrorism cannot coexist, responding to a joint appeal by 117 eminent personalities from India and Pakistan urging Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to revive bilateral dialogue and restore diplomatic engagement.

BJP's Core Response

BJP Rajya Sabha MP Dinesh Sharma acknowledged such initiatives while insisting the message must travel both ways. 'Those who have made this appeal should also go to Pakistan and convey the same message there. India has never said that it does not want good relations with any of its neighbours. Our only condition is that there should be no cross-border terrorism or infiltration. If that is ensured, India is always willing to maintain cordial relations,' Sharma said.

BJP leader Vijay Sampla echoed the sentiment, saying the appeal may have merit but meaningful dialogue requires an atmosphere free from terrorism. 'These people's demands may be justified, but India has made its position absolutely clear that peace and terrorism cannot go together. India is a peace-loving nation, but before any dialogue can take place, an environment of trust and security must first be established,' he said.

Historical Precedents and Credibility Questions

BJP leader Narayan Dutt Tripathi drew on history to contextualise the challenge, noting that similar overtures have been attempted before. 'Everyone has the right to express their own opinion. Similar efforts have been made in the past as well. Former Prime Minister, late Atal Bihari Vajpayee took several initiatives to improve ties with Pakistan. He even launched the Delhi-Lahore bus service and visited Pakistan. Dialogue itself is not a bad thing, but the question remains whether Pakistan will honour its commitments. That has always been the challenge,' Tripathi said.

This is not the first time civil society voices from both nations have called for a reset — similar appeals followed the 2016 Uri attack and the 2019 Pulwama-Balakot escalation. Each time, the Indian government's response has hinged on Pakistan's demonstrated action against cross-border militant networks.

Peace, Sovereignty, and Diplomatic Vigilance

Bihar Minister Dilip Jaiswal said India has always stood for peace and harmony. 'India believes in peace and is recognised across the world as a messenger of peace. We aspire to become a Vishwaguru through peace and coexistence. The world must understand that lasting progress is possible only through peace and not through war,' he said.

BJP National Spokesperson Guru Prakash underlined that the government remains alert to all diplomatic developments. 'The government is sensitive to every issue, and the Ministry of External Affairs closely monitors developments. Citizens have every right to express their opinions. However, the government will always move forward while protecting the country's respect, dignity and sovereignty,' he said.

About the Joint Appeal

The appeal was issued by the Centre for Peace and Progress and signed by 61 Indians and 56 Pakistanis. It called on both governments to end prolonged hostility, arguing that continued tensions were depriving millions of young people of opportunities, prosperity and a secure future.

Among the Indian signatories were National Conference chief Farooq Abdullah, separatist leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) MP Manoj Jha, and former All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) minister Humayun Kabir, now associated with the AJUP. Pakistani signatories included former Foreign Minister Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri, former diplomat Ashraf Jehangir Qazi, National Assembly member Isphanyar Bhandara, and nuclear physicist Pervez Hoodbhoy.

As diplomatic channels between the two neighbours remain largely frozen, the BJP's response signals that New Delhi is unlikely to shift its preconditions for engagement in the near term.