‘Why don’t you look at your own region’: Jaishankar says India doesn’t need West's ‘free advice’

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar didn’t hold back during a meeting with the Indian community in Luxembourg on Wednesday, calling out what he described as Western hypocrisy over Operation Sindoor, India’s cross-border military action in May 2025.

Jaishankar suggested that many countries sitting far away from South Asia often rush to comment on sensitive issues without fully understanding the context on the ground, or even reflecting on their own regional challenges.

“People sitting far away will say things, sometimes with application of mind, sometimes not, sometimes with a self-interest, sometimes carelessly,” he said.

#WATCH | Luxembourg: External Affairs Minister, Dr S Jaishankar says, "... In this day and age, countries will do things only if it is of direct benefit to them. They'll offer you free advice. If something happens, they'll say, please don't do that. It worries us if there is… pic.twitter.com/I0T6N1fALK

— ANI (@ANI) January 7, 2026

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‘Advice from afar’

Jaishankar said that during Operation Sindoor, where the Indian government hit terror infrastructure across the border, various nations were quick to offer opinions on what New Delhi should or shouldn’t do.

He summed up this external commentary as part of ‘the nature of the world’—where talk often doesn’t match action.

“But at the end of the day, I can tell you, whatever you might say … countries will do things only if it is of direct benefit to them. They’ll offer you free advice,” Jaishankar noted.

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Jaishankar urged audiences to look beyond these external commentaries and instead focus on substantive partnerships, and dealing positively with those willing to work constructively with India, while handling others differently.

In a slightly sardonic tone, he also challenged critics to examine their own regions before lecturing India. “Now if you ask them, say, oh really you’re worried, why don’t you look at your own region?” Jaishankar remarked, pointing out perceived inconsistencies in how some Western countries address conflict and violence close to home compared to how they comment on situations abroad.

Broader diplomatic themes

Beyond security, Jaishankar used the Luxembourg interaction to highlight deepening bilateral ties in politics, business, and technology, praising the Indian diaspora’s role in strengthening India-Luxembourg relations.

“Glad to interact with members of Indian community in Luxembourg today … appreciate the contributions of our diaspora in deepening India – Luxembourg ties,” concluded Jaishankar.