26/11 warranted a response, times have changed now: S Jaishankar on Op Sindoor
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Friday said that those who "sponsor, nurture and utilise terrorism for their ends" must pay a high price, and the same should have been given after the 26/11 Mumbai 2008 attacks. Speaking at the convocation of a private university in Gujarat's Vadodara, he reiterated Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'new India' vision, saying that times have changed and the country's resolve is "much stronger now".advertisement"The barbarity of the killings required an exemplary response, which was delivered... It is imperative that those who sponsor, nurture, and utilise terrorism for their ends are made to pay a high cost. That it warranted a forceful response, even after the 26/11 attack in Mumbai in 2008, is widely acknowledged. But times have changed, and our resolve is much stronger now. Terrorism epicentres are no longer immune. India's zero tolerance for terrorism has been manifested today through its actions," Jaishankar said, referencing Operation Sindoor, which was in retaliation to the Pahalgam massacre, in which Pakistan-backed terrorists killed 26 people.The Minister also said that India will never cave in to nuclear blackmail and terrorism epicentres are no longer immune.
"We will never give in to nuclear blackmail. Whatever decisions have to be taken in India's national interests are taken and will continue to be taken," the minister said while speaking at the convocation ceremony of a private university in Vadodara, Gujarat. advertisementPakistani ministers and officials had been launching nuclear threats even before Operation Sindoor was conducted by India, as the situation between the two countries remained volatile following the Pahalgam massacre, in which Pakistan-backed terrorists killed 26 people.Jaishankar also spoke about the "transactional" policies of some nations while noting the difference between diplomacy practised by India and others."In the international community of almost 200 nations, we do have national interests, and naturally seek to advance them, but this ought to be done with mutual understanding and mutual benefit as guiding principles. It has become a fashion in some quarters to be openly transactional when it comes to dealing with other nations. Bear in mind that some are actually practising it in reality while preaching the opposite," he said, appearing to be taking a dig at Turkey, which has openly supported Pakistan and also supplied drones to the country.Jaishankar, however, also highlighted that it has been "heartening" to see the understanding from several countries on India's "right to defend ourselves against terrorism"."In some societies, sentiments and values count a lot and India belongs to that category," he said, adding that India has kept in mind its larger obligation to the international community. "Our resources may be limited, but India has a large heart."advertisementJaishankar echoed PM Modi, who in his first address to the nation after Operation Sindoor, affirmed that India won't endure any nuke blackmail."Any nuclear blackmail won't be tolerated by India. Terror infra operating under nuclear blackmail will be targeted by India," the Prime Minister had said.Tune InMust Watch
IN THIS STORY#Subrahmanyam Jaishankar#Operation Sindoor
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