In a bold and uncompromising stance, India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar stated that India would not hesitate to strike deep inside Pakistan if provoked by terrorist attacks. Speaking in an interview in Brussels, he declared that India will no longer live under the shadow of terrorism and emphasized that any such acts will be met with strong and targeted retaliation. He squarely blamed Pakistan for training and preparing thousands of terrorists to be unleashed against India.
Jaishankar made it clear that India’s response to terrorism will not be geographically restrained. He stressed that India would target terrorist organizations and their leadership directly, regardless of whether they are located deep inside Pakistan. "We don’t care where they are," he asserted, adding that if required, Indian forces will enter Pakistani territory to neutralize threats. Referring to India’s military response during Operation Sindoor, he noted that India had inflicted significantly more damage on the Pakistani Air Force than it had received in return. He pointed to satellite imagery available online that shows eight Pakistani airfields were destroyed or disabled, leading to Pakistan's decision to seek peace.
He dismissed any doubts about the effectiveness of India’s defense systems, particularly the Rafale fighter jets and indigenous military technology, pointing out that the real proof lies in the damaged infrastructure of the Pakistani military. According to Jaishankar, the conflict ceased on the 10th of that month solely because India had disabled Pakistan’s main air bases that very morning. This, he stated, forced Pakistan to back down and effectively brought the fighting to a halt.
When questioned about China’s ongoing support for Pakistan, Jaishankar issued a warning against maintaining ambiguity or double standards on the issue of terrorism. He acknowledged the long-standing relationship between China and Pakistan but firmly argued that when it comes to terrorism, there is no room for selective judgment. Terrorism, he said, is a global threat and must be confronted with clarity and unity by the international community.
Addressing the situation in Kashmir, Jaishankar reiterated that the core issue is terrorism, not a territorial or bilateral conflict between India and Pakistan. He said that the Kashmir issue has been internationalized primarily because of Pakistan’s support and harboring of terrorists. “The conflict is between India and terrorism,” he declared. He vowed that India will pursue terrorists wherever they may be hiding, including within Pakistan’s borders, reinforcing India’s new policy of proactive counterterrorism.
Overall, Jaishankar’s remarks represent a firm shift in India’s foreign and security policy, signaling zero tolerance for terrorism and a willingness to take the fight to its source. His comments underline India’s growing assertiveness in dealing with cross-border threats and serve as a strong message to adversaries that terrorism will be met with decisive consequences. This stance not only bolsters India’s domestic narrative of strength and resilience but also positions the country as a responsible but firm actor on the global stage, unwilling to compromise on national security.