 "India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. File image/PTI")
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has dismissed the Western narrative that constantly links India-Pakistan tensions to an imminent nuclear threat. In an interview with Germany’s FAZ newspaper, Jaishankar emphasised that India and Pakistan remain “very, very far away” from any nuclear confrontation despite recent border clashes.
Expressing surprise at the focus on nuclear escalation, Jaishankar said, “At no point was a nuclear level reached.” He criticised the prevailing perception in the West that every conflict in the region automatically points to a nuclear crisis, calling it a damaging narrative that inadvertently supports terrorism.
Highlighting the state-sponsored nature of terrorism in Pakistan, Jaishankar stated that terrorist groups operate openly from various Pakistani cities and towns. He pointed out that the link between Pakistan and terrorist activities is clear and visible, especially in light of attacks like the one in Pahalgam.
“Anyone who is not blind can see that terrorist organizations are openly operating from the cities and towns of Pakistan. That is no secret,” Jaishankar said. He further noted that Pakistan’s names and locations frequently appear on the UN Security Council’s terror list, many of which have been targeted by India in counterterrorism operations.
Rejecting the notion that such activities occur covertly, Jaishankar urged the international community to acknowledge the transparent and ongoing support terrorism receives within Pakistan, rather than perpetuating exaggerated fears of nuclear escalation.
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More Shorts”In Pakistan, terrorism is a very open business. A business that is supported, financed, organized and used by the state. And by their military,” Jaishankar added.
The external affairs minister was in Berlin on the third and final leg of his three-nation tour of the Netherlands, Denmark and Germany.
On India’s response following the Pahalgam terror attack, Jaishankar said New Delhi sent a clear signal to the terrorists that there is a price to be paid for carrying out such attacks.
”The firing was then started by the Pakistani military. We fired back in self-defense and once the Pakistanis understood that they were taking a harmful course, we were able to stop firing,” he said.
”This situation has not changed for two weeks, that is the status,” he said on the May 10 understanding reached between Indian and Pakistani militaries on stopping military actions.
To a question on whether the US should be thanked for helping firm up the understanding, Jaishankar said it was agreed between the military commanders of India and Pakistan through ”direct contact”.
He said India effectively hit and incapacitated Pakistan’s main airbases and air defence systems that forced the neighbouring country to seek ending of the hostilities.
”So who should I thank for the cessation of hostilities? I thank the Indian military because it was the Indian military action that made Pakistan say: We are ready to stop,” he said.
On whether China played a role in India’s conflict with Pakistan, Jaishankar only referred to Chinese-origin weapons in the Pakistani military’s armoury.
”Many of the weapons systems that Pakistan has are of Chinese origin and the two countries are very close. You can draw your own conclusions from that,” he said.
Under Operation Sindoor, India carried out precision strikes on nine terror infrastructures early on May 7 in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack.
Following the Indian action, Pakistan attempted to attack Indian military bases on May 8, 9 and 10. The Pakistani attempts were strongly responded to by the Indian side.
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri on May 10 announced that India and Pakistan reached an understanding to stop all firings and military actions on land, air and sea, with immediate effect.
Asked why India and Germany have not been able to reconcile their positions on Russia’s war in Ukraine notwithstanding their strategic ties, Jaishankar did not give a direct reply.
”For you in Europe, other concerns and worries are important than for me in Asia. When you think of conflict, you think of Ukraine,” he said.
”When I think of conflict, I think of Pakistan, terrorism, China and our borders. Our perspective cannot be the same,” he added.