India vs terrorism, not Pakistan: Jaishankar warns West on misreading conflict
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, during his visit to Brussels, has called on Western nations to reframe their perspective on India’s actions against Pakistan in response to the Pahalgam terror attack, urging them to view it not as a bilateral border conflict but as a global fight against terrorism.
Speaking to the European news outlet Euractiv, Jaishankar said, “This isn’t merely an India-Pakistan issue. It’s about terrorism. And that very same terrorism will eventually come back to haunt you.” He pointed to Osama bin Laden’s residence in a Pakistani military town as a reminder of the dangers of tolerating terror safe havens.
Jaishankar’s comments come amid India’s ongoing Operation Sindoor, launched after the deadly attack in Kashmir that killed 26 civilians. He criticized international media and analysts for reducing the event to regional rivalry, warning that such framing downplays the global implications of terrorism.
Free trade, strategic partnerships, and trust over China
The visit also focused on strengthening EU-India ties, particularly around ongoing negotiations for a major Free Trade Agreement. Jaishankar met with EU leaders, including Ursula von der Leyen and foreign affairs chief Kaja Kallas, emphasizing India’s appeal as a trustworthy economic partner over China.
“India, a nation of 1.4 billion, offers skilled labour and a more trustworthy economic partnership than China,” he said, noting that several European companies are relocating data and operations to India as part of supply chain de-risking efforts.
India’s stance on Russia and Ukraine
On the Russia-Ukraine war, Jaishankar reiterated India’s consistent position of neutrality and non-prescriptiveness: “We don’t believe that differences can be resolved through war… It’s not for us to prescribe what that solution should be.”
Responding to criticism over India’s reluctance to sanction Russia, he reminded that India also maintains a strong relationship with Ukraine and emphasized the role of historical grievances in shaping India’s foreign policy stance.
Jaishankar recalled Western support for Pakistan during its initial incursions into Kashmir after India’s independence: “Our borders were violated just months after independence… and the countries that were most supportive of that? Western countries.”
Critique of the EU’s climate tariff and strategic autonomy
The Foreign Minister also expressed India’s “deep reservations” over the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), arguing that it represents unilateralism under the guise of environmental policy.
“The idea that one part of the world will set standards for everybody else is something which we are against,” he said, affirming India’s position on climate equity and national sovereignty.
He welcomed Europe’s growing pursuit of “strategic autonomy” and described the EU as an increasingly important pole in a multipolar world: “That is precisely why I’m here: to deepen our relationship in this multipolar world.”
On Trump and US ties
When asked about the possibility of engaging with President Donald Trump, Jaishankar emphasized that India’s foreign policy is driven by national interests, not personalities.
“I take the world as I find it. Our aim is to advance every relationship that serves our interests, and the US relationship is of immense importance to us. It’s not about personality X or president Y,” he said.
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It is obvious from the comments of the US General that Pakistan has to be protected at any cost. Have we agreed to pause the firing based on the request from Pakistan for justification of trade given by Trump? Having damaged Pakistan to the extent we have the pause is in our interest as well. The US anxiety to limit further damage to Pakistan cannot be for trade only. Pakistan is a US keep, she has to be kept young and good looking but when starts she starts venturing on her own in dangerous areas she needs to be disciplined and protected as well.Bottom line, we have to stand on our own and in our own interest. Support can come only when the interests are same, rest will be lip service at best.