Jaishankar reaffirms India's zero-tolerance policy on terrorism
New Delhi: India expects partners to understand its policy of "zero tolerance" against terrorism, and it will never countenance "perpetrators of evil" being put on par with its victims, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Saturday during extensive talks with his British counterpart David Lammy. Jaishankar's remarks, which seemed to be an attempt to send an unambiguous message to the global community, came against the backdrop of unease in New Delhi over several countries hyphenating India and Pakistan following their four-day clashes last month.
Lammy arrived in New Delhi on Saturday morning on a two-day visit to review various aspects of the strategic partnership between the two countries.
A British readout said bolstering economic and migration ties and delivering further growth opportunities for British businesses are set to be at the top of the UK foreign secretary's visit to India. Before holding talks with Jaishankar, the British foreign secretary met Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
In his televised opening remarks at the meeting with Lammy, Jaishankar thanked the UK for its strong condemnation of the "barbaric" Pahalgam terror attack and London's solidarity and support to New Delhi's fight against terrorism.
"We practice a policy of zero tolerance against terrorism and expect our partners to understand it, and we will never countenance perpetrators of evil being put at par with its victims," he said. It is understood that the Indian side explained its challenge of dealing with cross-border terrorism emanating from Pakistan. The UK was among the countries which were in touch with both India and Pakistan in an attempt to de-escalate tensions during their military conflict from May 7-10. Lammy paid a two-day visit to Islamabad from May 16, during which he welcomed the May 10 understanding between India and Pakistan to stop the military actions. Jaishankar also described the recently finalised India-UK free trade deal and the double contribution convention as "truly a milestone".
"The recent conclusion of the India-UK FTA and the double contribution convention is truly a milestone which will not only propel our two-way trade and investment but will also have a positive effect on other strategic aspects of our bilateral ties," Jaishankar said.
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