SNE NETWORK.INTERNATIONAL DESK.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said on Tuesday that we are all committed to ensuring an open and independent Indo-Pacific region. The countries in the Indo-Pacific region should have freedom of choice so that they can take the right decisions regarding development and security. We have made significant progress in the Quad initiatives in the last few months. Jaishankar said this before the meeting of foreign ministers of the Quad member countries in Washington.
Jaishankar said that the world should show zero tolerance towards terrorism. He also said that the victims of terrorism should never be compared to those who spread terror. The Foreign Minister said in clear words that India has every right to protect its people and we will exercise this right.
Earlier in the day, Jaishankar had said that terrorists cannot be allowed to work without any punishment. He said that the thinking that terrorists are across the border and hence they cannot be responded to, now this notion is worth challenging. And this is what we did through ‘Operation Sindoor’.
While talking to Newsweek CEO Dev Pragadh in New York, Jaishankar also said that India will no longer fall for nuclear blackmail, especially in a situation when terrorism is being promoted from across the border. He said, now we are not going to fall for this trap. If they (Pakistan) come to our country and do something, then we will also go there and target those people. Neither being afraid of nuclear threats, nor sparing terrorists, nor saying that they are just someone’s agents – we do not believe in this now. We will do whatever we have to do to protect our people.
On May 7, the Indian Army carried out precision attacks on terrorist infrastructure of organizations like Jaish-e-Mohammed, Lashkar-e-Taiba and Hizbul Mujahideen. ‘Operation Sindoor’ was launched in response to the terrorist attack in the Bysaran area of Pahalgam on 22 April, in which 26 people were killed, most of whom were civilians. To respond to this, the Pakistan Army tried to attack Indian military bases with drones and missiles on 8, 9 and 10 May, but they were foiled. After this, an even tougher response was given by India. India targeted military structures like Pakistan’s air defense system, radar site and command and control centers.
Foreign Minister Jaishankar also held a meeting with his Japanese counterpart Takeshi Iwaya in Washington. During this, the Japanese Foreign Minister said, the importance of cooperation between India and Japan is constantly increasing in the current global circumstances. The vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific region has become even more important in today’s times, as it guides the world to move towards cooperation rather than confrontation and division.
He further said, I am very eager to work together with you to maintain peace and stability. At the same time, by leveraging a platform like the Quad, we can fulfill our responsibilities for stability within the international community. I am very excited to have a meaningful discussion with you.