Terrorists targeting India will be hunted down, even in Pakistan, says Jaishankar
India will not hesitate to pursue terrorists across borders, External Affairs Minister
S. Jaishankar
said in an interview with
Le Figaro
, sending a clear warning to Pakistan in the wake of the April 22 terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir. The remarks came on Tuesday as part of a wide-ranging conversation during his visit to Paris.
'If terrorists attack India, we will hunt them down wherever they are, including in Pakistan,'
Jaishankar
said, reiterating that the
India-Pakistan conflict
is rooted in terrorism rather than a bilateral dispute.'It has become an India-Pakistan issue because Pakistan harbours and supports terrorists. The conflict is between India and terrorism,' he stated.
The minister highlighted that India's retaliatory actions have received broad international backing, with the UN Security Council calling for 'accountability and justice.'
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India following 'zero-tolerance' policy on terror; expects partners to understand it: External Affairs Minister
In the wide-ranging interview, Jaishankar also addressed India's ties with France, strategic autonomy, tensions with China, and the war in Ukraine. He described the India-France partnership as one built on trust and said it spans economic, strategic, civil, and military dimensions.
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'For many years, India has had a very strong economic and strategic, civil and military partnership with France. The word 'trust' is central to this relationship,' he said, highlighting cooperation in defence, nuclear energy, artificial intelligence, space, and environmental issues.
Turning to China, Jaishankar said India-China ties have been under strain since the 2020 Himalayan border clash. While efforts are underway to resume suspended exchanges like direct flights, he cautioned against mixed messaging on terrorism. 'On an issue like terrorism, you cannot afford ambiguity,' he said, in reference to China's support for Pakistan.
On US-India relations, Jaishankar noted the continuity of strong bilateral ties across five US administrations. Recalling the Trump era, he said India had begun negotiations on a trade agreement despite tariff threats. 'We are hopeful of reaching an agreement before the tariff suspension ends on July 9,' he said.
Jaishankar also acknowledged President Donald Trump's support for the Quad, and remarked: 'We see the U.S. acting in line with its immediate self-interest. To be honest, I would do the same with them.'
Discussing the war in Ukraine, Jaishankar reiterated India's call for a negotiated settlement. 'We've helped both Ukraine and Russia as much as we could. There must be direct negotiation between the parties, the sooner the better,' he said. He added that countries from Africa to Latin America and the Pacific islands have borne the brunt of the conflict's economic fallout. 'The world wants it to stop. On this issue, we speak on behalf of the Global South.'
Also Read:
India cannot hold talks on IWT until terror concerns addressed: Sources on Pak's repeated attempts
Jaishankar described the Global South as 'developing countries that have endured the painful legacy of colonisation… and are now trying to earn the place they deserve in the international order.'
Addressing criticism from Western media about India's treatment of minorities, particularly Muslims, Jaishankar dismissed such concerns. 'That is largely exaggerated, and sometimes outright false. For us, multiple languages, beliefs, ethnicities, and traditions are part of who we are,' he said.
Finally, calling for reforms to the UN Security Council, Jaishankar made a case for India's expanded role on the global stage. 'We are the most populous country… increasingly active on the world stage. Many countries are calling for it. The UN is 80 years old and struggling with its responsibilities,' he said.
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