 "India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar speaks as Australia’s Foreign Minister Penny Wong, Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stand together at the start of their meeting of the Indo-Pacific Quad at the State Department in Washington, D.C., U.S. Reuters")
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Tuesday that the victims and perpetrators of terrorism should never be compared, and India expects its Quad partners to recognise that the nation has every right to defend its people from the threat.
With his colleagues from the United States, Australia, and Japan listening, Jaishankar also stated that the world must have zero tolerance for terrorist actions and that India will use its right to protect its people against terrorism.
Jaishankar spoke to the media before of a vital meeting of the Quad grouping’s foreign ministers, which was hosted by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
“A word about terrorism in the light of our recent experience – the world must display zero tolerance,” he said in an apparent reference to the Pahalgam terror attack.
“Victims and perpetrators must never be equated. And India has every right to defend its people against terrorism, and we will exercise that right. We expect our Quad partners to understand and appreciate that,” he said.
The external affairs minister’s remarks came against the backdrop of unease in New Delhi over several countries hyphenating India and Pakistan following their four-day clashes in May.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsIndia was also known to be surprised over US President Donald Trump hosting Pakistan Army chief Asim Munir at the White house last month.
In his remarks, Jaishankar said India plans to host the next Quad summit.
“We have some proposals on how to make that productive. I am sure so do our partners. We will discuss and I am sure we will agree,” he said.
The Quad foreign ministerial meeting was expected to prepare ground for the grouping’s annual summit in New Delhi later this year.
“The working of the Quad is also being made more efficient through streamlining the working groups. A more cohesive, nimble and focused Quad will certainly help deliver better,” Jaishankar said.
The external affairs minister asserted that Quad is committed to ensure a free and open Indo-Pacific.
“To that end, our endeavours are devoted to promoting a rules-based international order. It is essential that nations of the Indo-Pacific have the freedom of choice, so essential to make right decisions on development and security,” he said.
“In the last few months, we have made significant progress in Quad initiatives. They include the maritime domain, logistics, education and political coordination,” he added.
The external affairs minister said Quad is about deepening convergence and expanding common ground.
“I value our consultations on different dimensions of the Indo-Pacific in that regard. A lot is happening in the world, and I am sure that our exchange of views will be very valuable for all of us,” he noted.
The Quad summit is likely to take place in November.
Jaishankar is visiting the US from June 30 to July 2 at the invitation of Rubio.