Terror targets Kashmir tourism, Jaishankar calls Pahalgam attack assault on economy designed to incite religious unrest
by Utsav RoyIn a strong message to both Pakistan and the international community, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar made it clear in a recent interview that India no longer draws a line between terrorist groups and the states that support them.
Jaishankar condemned the Pahalgam terrorist attack — in which 27 civilians, primarily tourists from various Indian regions, lost their lives — describing it as “an act of economic warfare”. He elaborated, “It was meant to destroy tourism in Kashmir, which was the mainstay of the economy.” He further emphasized the sectarian intentions behind the massacre: “It was also meant to provoke religious violence because people were asked to identify their faith before they were killed.”
He then outlined India’s firm response through ‘Operation Sindoor’, which involved targeted airstrikes on terror infrastructure across several locations in Pakistan. “We decided we cannot let terrorists function with impunity. The idea that they are on that side of the border and that, therefore, prevents retribution, is a proposition that needs to be challenged, and that is what we did.”
According to Jaishankar, the existence of terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan is widely known. “Terrorist organisations have the equivalent of their corporate headquarters in the populated towns of Pakistan. Everybody knows what the headquarters is… and those are actually the buildings we destroyed.” He stated unequivocally that India will no longer excuse or spare the governments that provide support, funds, or motivation to terrorist entities.
He also dismissed the idea of resuming dialogue with Pakistan unless it is focused solely on ending terrorism. He warned that India will not hesitate to act again if the situation demands it, a view consistent with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s assertion that ‘Operation Sindoor’ remains ongoing.
Referring to Pakistan’s role, Jaishankar stated, “We think it’s very clear the Pakistani state is up to its eyeballs in this one.”
Addressing the long-standing issue of nuclear deterrence being used as a shield for inaction, he added: “We have also heard this for too long, that ‘you are both nuclear countries, therefore the other guys will come and do horrible things, but you mustn’t do anything because it gets the world worried.’ Now we are not going to fall for that.”
He reiterated that terrorism cannot be legitimized under any circumstance. “The message to the world has to be that there should be zero tolerance for terrorism, that there should be no circumstances, no excuse, no justification under which you would allow, support, finance, sponsor terrorist acts.”
Jaishankar noted that India’s experience with terrorism is both historic and deeply personal. “Our experience has been very, very intense for the last four decades. Actually it started from the time of Independence… We’ve now reached a point — in many ways (after) the Pahalgam terrorist attack on April 22 — that the sentiment in India (is) that enough is enough.”
He also touched on India’s expanding global influence in a rapidly evolving world. “(There’s been) a rebalancing in the world, accelerated by globalisation, and we are heading towards… an era of multipolarity (with) many centres of power and influence, which are autonomous of each other and pursue their particular interests.”
Highlighting India’s growing relevance, he said, “We would definitely have a lot to offer, not just as the most populated country in the world, but the largest pool of talent in an era where talent and human resources is going to count for more — the era of AI (Artificial Intelligence). I think we would also have something special to contribute to the world as a democracy, as a very diverse society, a society which has valued and nurtured its diversity.”
He emphasized India’s role as a global connector: “We are aiming to play the role of a bridge.”
To illustrate India’s diplomatic versatility, he pointed to its position on the Russia-Ukraine conflict. “How many countries are able to pick up the phone and talk to Russia and Ukraine, Israel and Iran, or the Global North and Global South? I would suggest to you there are not that many,” he said.
On India’s broader international positioning, he added, “We are a political democracy, a market economy, a pluralistic society, a voice of the Global South, but we are not anti-West. We get along, we participate, we attend the G7 meetings. In fact, from here I’m going on to Washington for a meeting of the Quad, and from there I’m going on to a meeting of the BRICS. So I think that should tell you something.”