India has zero tolerance for terrorism, will never give in to nuclear blackmail: Jaishankar to German counterpart

Indian Express

23-05-2025

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Friday said India has zero tolerance for terrorism and New Delhi will 'never give in to nuclear blackmail', while referring to the cross-border links to the Pahalgam terror attack.
After meeting German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul, he said, 'India will deal with Pakistan purely bilaterally' and there should be 'no confusion in any quarter' in that regard.
'I came to Berlin in the immediate aftermath of India responding to the Pahalgam terror attack. Let me share with you what I conveyed to Mr Wadephul in that context. India has zero tolerance for terrorism. India will never give in to nuclear blackmail,' he said.
The German Foreign Minister publicly condemned the terrorist attack on India and supported its right to defend itself against terrorism, sources said.
Wadephul also advocated a bilateral solution between India and Pakistan, they said.
Jaishankar said India values 'Germany's understanding' that 'every nation has a right to defend itself against terrorism'.
Wadephul said the relations are more diverse and Germany wants to 'deepen our ties' while Jaishankar said that in recent years, 'our cooperation acquired many more facets, gained much stronger momentum'.
The External Affairs Minister also recalled his meeting with Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Friday, saying he noted his strong commitment to elevating and expanding the strategic partnership.
'Our talks addressed different dimensions of our bilateral cooperation; they ranged from trade to technology and investment, to defence, security, energy, sustainability, mobility of talent and societal exchanges,' Jaishankar said.
They exchanged views on a 'wide range of issues, from immediate neighbourhood to global concerns and challenges'. 'I want to underline here that Germany for us is a really important partner,' said Jaishankar, adding, 'We cooperate in forums like the G4 to the G20.'
In an interview to Danish daily Politiken, Jaishankar criticised Europe for backing Pakistan when it was under military dictatorship.
'Our borders have been violated by Pakistan in Kashmir ever since our Independence in 1947. And what have we seen in the eight decades since then,' he asked.
'That large, democratic Europe, to use your own term, has stood side by side with military dictatorships in the region.' 'No one has supported the military regime — and undermined democracy in Pakistan in so many ways — as much as the West,' he said.
He made these comments in Copenhagen as part of his three-nation tour of the Netherlands, Denmark and Germany.
Jaishankar emphasised that India supports countries' sovereignty and internationally recognised borders.
'But my worldview and my view of Europe are shaped by my own experiences. You talk about the inviolability of borders — well, why don't we start with the inviolability of my borders?' 'That's where my world begins. But we've always been told that we had to solve that ourselves,' he said.
'Of the major collective challenges today, I would place terrorism at the top, alongside climate change, growing poverty, and the consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic in the Global South,' he said.
In a separate interview to Danish broadcaster TV 2, Jaishankar said the understanding between India and Pakistan on May 10 to stop fighting and military actions was firmed up 'directly' by the militaries of the two sides.
Jaishankar's comments came against the backdrop of US President Donald Trump's claim that Washington played a role in brokering the truce.
'We had the conflict for a few days (and) we resolved that conflict for the moment in its particular military form through an understanding for the cessation of fighting and military action. And this was something that we negotiated directly between the militaries of the two countries,' he said.
'The trigger for it was… we hit them very hard on the morning of (May) 10… and that caused the Pakistanis to say, 'Ok, we're prepared to stop the firing and reach an understanding about how to deal with it'.'
Jaishankar is in Berlin in the concluding leg of his three-nation tour.
Earlier in the day, he posted on X, 'Honoured to meet Chancellor Friedrich Merz today in Berlin. Conveyed the best wishes of PM @narendramodi. Look forward to working with his government to elevate and expand our Strategic Partnership. Appreciate Germany's solidarity as India counters the challenge of terrorism.'
He also met Minister of Economy and Energy Katherina Reiche.
'Discussed ways to enhance our talent linkages, industry partnership and joint collaboration to build more resilient supply chains,' Jaishankar said.
He also met Minister of Economy and Energy Katherina Reiche.
'Discussed ways to enhance our talent linkages, industry partnership and joint collaboration to build more resilient supply chains,' Jaishankar said.
The EAM said he had a 'good conversation' with Gunter Sautter, Foreign and Security Policy Adviser to Merz.
'Exchanged perspectives on major global issues, including combating terrorism. Our deepening partnership is an important factor of stability in an uncertain world. We will also work together to strengthen resilience and trust,' he said.