Latest news with #EAM
India Gazette
2 days ago
- Politics
- India Gazette
"We will never give in to nuclear blackmail": EAM Jaishankar at Vadodara
Vadodara (Gujarat) [India], May 31 (ANI): Emphasising that safeguarding the nation's interests remains paramount, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar hit out at Pakistan asserting that India will never succumb to any form of nuclear blackmail. Addressing the Convocation Ceremony of Foreign National Students at Parul University in Gujarat's Vadodara, EAM S. Jaishankar said that New Delhi's zero tolerance for terrorism has been manifested today through its actions. '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,' he said. He termed April's Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir, which claimed 26 lives, including a Nepali national, an attempt to devastate the tourism economy of Jammu and Kashmir and an evil desire to sow the seeds of religious discord. 'Recently, we saw an attempt to devastate the tourism economy of Jammu and Kashmir and an evil desire to sow the seeds of religious discord. 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,' Jaishankar added. '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...' said Jaishankar. Further stressing the issues of the Global South, the EAM said, 'There are also other pressing challenges faced by the world especially our brothers and sisters of the Global South. We all realised during the COVID Pandemic how much our health security depended on others. The Ukraine conflict brought home the vulnerability of energy security. The shortage of fertilisers and scarcity of food grains left many economies deeply impacted.' He spoke about the imperative of stronger international cooperation in a more diverse and pluralistic world, and New Delhi's outlook driven by the ethos of Vasudaiva Kutumbakam. He also highlighted India's strong advocacy for the Global South, rooted in shared history and common aspirations. Notably, India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7 in response to the Pahalgam terror attack. (ANI)
Hans India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Hans India
EAM Jaishankar talks to Cyprus counterpart, appreciates support for backing India's fight against terrorism
External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar on Friday discussed ways of strengthening the India-Cyprus bilateral relationship with the West Asian nation's Foreign Affairs Minister, Constantinos Kombos. The EAM also expressed appreciation for Cyprus for backing India's fight against terrorism. Taking to X, the External Affairs Minister wrote: "Warm conversation with FM @ckombos of Cyprus. Discussed strengthening our bilateral partnership as well as India - EU ties. Appreciate the support consistently extended by Cyprus in combatting terrorism." The conversation between the two leaders assume significance as it came at a time when India has been sending its team of MPs to multiple countries as a part of Operation Sindoor outreach. The visits are a part of India's global diplomatic outreach campaign to highlight the significance of Operation Sindoor and India's continued fight against Pakistan-sponsored cross-border terrorism. Since the establishment of diplomatic ties between India and Cyprus in 1962, bilateral relations between both nations have been traditionally very close and friendly. Besides, Cyprus has supported India on several crucial issues, including India's election to UNSC, the India-US Civil Nuclear Agreement, the NSG and the IAEA, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) notes. Cyprus also supported India post-Shakti series of nuclear tests and on the issues of the Pulwama terrorist attack, says the MEA. There have been several goodwill gestures between India and Cyprus, marking their special regard and gratitude for each other. The MEA notes India has named an avenue in Delhi in honour of Archbishop Makarios, the first President of Cyprus. "Cyprus issued two postal stamps on the occasion of Centenary Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi in 1970," it says. Apart from that, a bust of the 'Father of the Nation' Mahatma Gandhi was installed in the garden of the Parliament of Cyprus in 1972 and the avenue in the front of bust was named as 'Jawaharlal Nehru Avenue' in 1983. In a heartwarming gesture underlining the close relations between the two nations, in 2019, Cyprus issued a commemorative stamp on the occasion of Mahatma Gandhi's 150th birth anniversary. Taking the close ties between India and Cyprus into consideration, the latest conversation between S. Jaishankar and Constantinos Kombos holds importance as the subject of terrorism was also touched upon during the talks, with the Indian minister acknowledging the West Asian nation's constant support towards combatting terrorism.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
'No country backed India': Congress says BJP's 'foreign policy failed' post-Operation Sindoor
NEW DELHI: The Congress on Friday launched a scathing attack on the BJP-led central government over its handling of foreign affairs in the wake of , accusing it of diplomatic failure and a compromised stance on national security. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Congress leader Pawan Khera said, "The result of our failed foreign policy was seen post-Pahalgam, during Operation Sindoor. No country called Pakistan a terrorist state; this is the result of your failed foreign policy. Then you launched Operation Sindoor and no country gave a statement in your favour. Now, after Operation Sindoor, Kuwait has lifted visa restrictions on Pakistan. Iran, UAE, and Gulf countries are signing MoUs with Pakistan, and the most shocking thing is that yesterday, Russia signed an MoU with Pakistan to revive its very old steel mill, under which Pakistan will get $2.6 billion from Russia. .. This is the result of your failed foreign policy..." Meanwhile, Congress MP , part of an all-party delegation to Colombia, expressed disappointment over the Colombian government's condolences for those killed in Pakistan after India's May 7 counterstrike, saying, 'There can be no equivalence between those who attack and those who defend.' He said India acted in self-defence following the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack. 'We were only exercising our right of self-defence,' he added. Tharoor also highlighted Pakistan's support for terrorists and showed images of uniformed Pakistani officials attending terrorist funerals. 'That is the extent of complicity…,' he said, stressing India's resolve through Operation Sindoor targeting terror bases in Pakistan and PoK. The opposition's criticism comes amid a series of political confrontations following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's public address in Gujarat, where he said Operation Sindoor was documented on camera to ensure "no one at home asks for proof." Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Also read: PM Modi declared, "Until now, what we used to call a proxy war, after the scenes witnessed post-May 6, we can no longer make the mistake of calling it a proxy war." He added that the terrorists targeted in the strikes were given military honours in Pakistan, indicating direct state involvement. Responding to the Prime Minister's remarks, Congress questioned why top terrorists like Hafiz Saeed and Masood Azhar were not neutralised. "To date, we have not received an answer to that – What happened to the terrorists of Poonch, Ganderbal, Gulmarg and Pahalgam?... How did Hafiz Saeed and Masood Azhar escape?" asked Khera, further alleging that "this government has outsourced the entire politics, political discourse, foreign policy to trolls." Earlier, Rahul Gandhi also accused the Centre of tipping off Pakistan before the strikes. Sharing an old video of external affairs minister S Jaishankar, Gandhi wrote on May 17, "Informing Pakistan at the start of our attack was a crime. EAM has publicly admitted that GOI did it." He followed up on May 27 with another post asking, "How many Indian aircraft did we lose because Pakistan knew?" The ministry of external affairs (MEA) denied Gandhi's claims, calling them a 'misrepresentation of facts.' The ministry clarified that Pakistan was warned 'in the early phase after Operation Sindoor's commencement,' not before the operation began. The controversy was further fuelled by US President Donald Trump's comments, referenced by Congress, that he had mediated ceasefire talks between India and Pakistan. Khera described this as "a very dangerous comment,' and said, 'sindoor ka sauda hota raha aur pradhan mantri chup rahe,' implying secret negotiations during the operation. Also read:
Time of India
6 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
'Iss baar camera ke samne kiya': PM Modi takes 'proof' jibe at opposition; Congress hits back
NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday took a veiled dig at the opposition, saying that the armed forces recorded Operation Sindoor on camera so that 'no one at home asks for proof.' While addressing a rally in Gujarat, PM Modi, taking a swipe at the Congress, said India is a "land of the brave" and emphasised that terror attacks on the country can no longer be termed as "proxy wars. " "This is a land of the brave. Until now, what we used to call a proxy war, after the scenes witnessed post-May 6, we can no longer make the mistake of calling it a proxy war. The reason is that when nine terrorist hideouts were identified and destroyed within just 22 minutes, it was a decisive action. And this time, everything was done in front of the cameras, so that no one back home would ask for proof," the Prime Minister said. "I say this can no longer be called a proxy war because the terrorists whose funerals were held after May 6 were given state honours in Pakistan. Pakistan's flags were placed on their coffins, and their army saluted them. It proves that terrorist activities are not a proxy war but a well-planned war strategy. You are already at war, and you will receive the response accordingly. We do not seek enmity with anyone. We want to live peacefully. We also want to progress so that we can contribute to the welfare of the world," he added. PM Modi's remarks alluded to previous instances, such as the surgical strikes in 2016 and the Balakot airstrikes in 2019, where the opposition questioned the efficacy of those military operations. Meanwhile, Congress attacked the Prime Minister and asked why terrorists like Hafiz Saeed and Masood Azhar managed to escape armed forces' precision strikes. During a press conference, Congress leader Pawan Khera said, "To date, we have not received an answer to that - What happened to the terrorists of Poonch, Ganderbal, Gulmarg and Pahalgam? On what terms did the ceasefire take place? How did Hafiz Saeed and Masood Azhar escape? Do the terms of ceasefire include bringing back these terrorists or not?" "If these questions are asked of the Modi government, its leaders deliver filmy dialogues. This government has outsourced the entire politics, political discourse, foreign policy to trolls," he added. This comes after Congress leader Rahul Gandhi accused the Centre of forewarning Pakistan ahead of Operation Sindoor. "EAM Jaishankar's silence isn't just telling — it's damning. So I'll ask again: How many Indian aircraft did we lose because Pakistan knew?" Gandhi posted on X. "This wasn't a lapse. It was a crime. And the nation deserves the truth," he added. On May 17, Rahul shared an undated video of external affairs minister S Jaishankar, in which the minister is heard saying that India had warned Pakistan before launching strikes on terror infrastructure. "Informing Pakistan at the start of our attack was a crime. EAM has publicly admitted that GOI did it." He also questioned, "Who authorised it? How many aircraft did our air force lose as a result?" Gandhi wrote. The ministry of external affairs (MEA) refuted Rahul's claim, calling it a "misrepresentation of facts." The MEA clarified that the government had warned Pakistan during the "early phase after Operation Sindoor's commencement", not before the operation began. It quoted Jaishankar as saying, "We had warned Pakistan at the start," explaining that this clearly meant the early phase after the commencement of the operation. "This is being falsely represented as being before the commencement. This utter misrepresentation of facts is being called out," the ministry added. Operation Sindoor was launched on May 7, targeting terror bases in Pakistan in retaliation for the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22.
United News of India
7 days ago
- Politics
- United News of India
At no point was a nuclear level reached: EAM Jaishankar on India-Pak conflict
Berlin/New Delhi, May 26 (UNI) External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has stated that at no point was a nuclear level reached, during the military stand-off between India and Pakistan during Operation Sindoor. In an interview with the German newspaper FAZ, the EAM also said that the Indian military action was to be thanked for the ceasefire with Pakistan. Asked how far the world was from a nuclear conflict between India and Pakistan, he said: 'Very, very far away. I'm frankly astonished by your question. We have terrorist targets. Those were very measured, carefully considered and non-escalating steps. 'After that, the Pakistani military opened fire on us.' He said that India was able to show Pakistan that it can disable their air defense systems. 'Then the firing stopped at their request.' 'At no point was a nuclear level reached. There is a narrative as if everything that happens in our part of the world leads directly to a nuclear problem. 'That disturbs me a lot because it encourages terrible activities like terrorism. If anything, much more is happening with the nuclear issue in your part of the world,' he retorted. Asked if the ceasefire has restored the situation before the four-day conflict with Pakistan, he said: 'We did what we set out to do. We have sent a clear signal to the terrorists that there is a price to be paid for carrying out such attacks, as they did on us in Kashmir in April. 'The firing was then started by the Pakistani military. We fired back in self-defense and once the Pakistanis understood that they were taking a harmful course, we were able to stop firing. This situation has not changed for two weeks, that is the status.' Asked if India has 'been able to convince your partners that the link between Pakistan and the terrorists is clear', he said: 'Anyone who is not blind can see that the terrorist organizations are openly operating from the cities and towns of Pakistan. That is no secret. 'The UN Security Council terror list is full of Pakistani names and places, and these are the very places we have targeted. So please don't think that something is only going on behind the scenes. 'In Pakistan, terrorism is a very open business. A business that is supported, financed, organized and used by the state. And by their military.' Asked 'Do we have America to thank for the ceasefire, as Washington portrays it,' he said: 'The cessation of firing was agreed between the military commanders of both sides through direct contact. The morning before, we effectively hit and incapacitated Pakistan's main airbases and air defense system. 'So who should I thank for the cessation of hostilities? I thank the Indian military because it was the Indian military action that made Pakistan say: We are ready to stop.' UNI RN
