Germany backs India’s right to self-defence against terrorism, says Jaishankar after Berlin talks

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday described his meeting with German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul in Berlin as “excellent,” expressing appreciation for Germany’s clear support of India’s right to defend itself against terrorism.

In a post on X after the talks, Jaishankar said, “Deeply appreciate Germany’s understanding of India’s right to defend itself against terrorism.”

Excellent meeting today with FM @JoWadephul in Berlin.

Deeply appreciate Germany’s understanding of India’s right to defend itself against terrorism.

Discussed making our Strategic Partnership stronger, deeper and closer. Identified areas of further promise and potential.… pic.twitter.com/teX3h6DDWb

— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) May 23, 2025

Jaishankar also said that he discussed ways to strengthen the India-Germany Strategic Partnership, aiming to make it “stronger, deeper, and closer.”

“Discussed making our Strategic Partnership stronger, deeper and closer. Identified areas of further promise and potential. Exchanged views on issues from our immediate neighborhood to global concerns and challenges,” he added.

Germany on Friday strongly condemned the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam and reaffirmed India’s right to defend itself against cross-border terrorism.

According to a News 18 report, citing sources, Wadephul denounced the “heinous terrorist attacks in Pahalgam” in the strongest terms during his meeting with Jaishankar.

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The statement underscores Berlin’s solidarity with New Delhi on security concerns and its support for India’s fight against terrorism.

Germany also reiterated its longstanding position that the issue between India and Pakistan should be resolved bilaterally between both nations, aligning with India’s stance against third-party mediation.

This comes amid US President Donald Trump’s claims of having mediated a ceasefire between India and Pakistan following ‘Operation Sindoor’ a claim India has firmly denied.

The Indian government has repeatedly stated that the cessation of hostilities was the result of direct communication between senior military officials from both countries, following a request from Pakistan for a ceasefire, with no involvement from any international mediator.

India maintains that following the recent events if any dialogue is to be held with Pakistan, it will pertain solely to Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, which Islamabad has occupied illegally for decades and uses to destabilise the region by backing terrorists.

In a video obtained by sources speaking to News 18, Wadephul is heard saying during a joint press conference with Jaishankar that he had been in contact with his French counterpart to gain a clearer understanding of the recent terror attack in Pahalgam.

Speaking at the same press conference in Germany, Jaishankar reiterated India’s firm stance on terrorism, declaring that the country maintains a policy of zero tolerance and will “never give in to nuclear blackmail.”

He also emphasised that India’s dealings with Pakistan would remain strictly bilateral, stating,“There should be no confusion in any quarter on that point,” Jaishankar was quoted as saying.

“I came to Berlin in the immediate aftermath of India responding to the Pahalgam terror attack. Let me share with you what I conveyed to Mr Wadephul in that context. India has zero-tolerance for terrorism. India will never give in to nuclear blackmail," he said.

Jaishankar is currently in Germany as part of his three-nation Europe visit.

With inputs from agencies