“Every country wants a stable neighbourhood..unfortunate…”: Jaishankar Condemns Pakistani Terrorism

Highlighting the shift in India's approach towards terrorism, Jaishankar affirmed that India will no longer evade the issue...

Digital Desk: In an aggressive standpoint against Pakistan, Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar articulated India's firm resolve to address the menace of terrorism directly, denouncing Pakistan's utilisation of terrorism as a state policy. 

Addressing the complex dynamics of dealing with a neighbour like Pakistan, Jaishankar, during his visit to the Institute of South Asian Studies in Singapore, reiterated India's commitment to tackling terrorism head-on, stating, "Every country wants a stable neighbourhood...we have been unfortunate, or ill-starred to be blessed with the one we have to our west. How do you deal with a neighbour, who does not hide the fact that they use terrorism as an instrument of statecraft?"

Jaishankar drew attention to the industrial scale of terrorism fostered by Pakistan, likening it to an assembly line process, asserting that India cannot afford to overlook the issue any longer. He emphasised the need for honesty in confronting the problem, expressing, "If you have to have those discussions, we should, if it's hard to find a solution, we must work through. We should not give the other country a free pass...in India the mood is not to overlook terrorism."

Highlighting the shift in India's approach towards terrorism, Jaishankar affirmed that India will no longer evade the issue, recognizing the public anger and demanding action against the terrorism threat. He underscored the importance of bilateral discussions and cooperation in addressing regional challenges.

On an official visit to Singapore, the Philippines, and Malaysia, Jaishankar aims to strengthen bilateral ties and engage in discussions on mutual interests and regional issues, as outlined by the Ministry of External Affairs.