External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, who is in Berlin as part of his three-nation tour to the Netherlands, Denmark and Germany, strongly condemned the recent terror attack in Pahalgam on April 22 that claimed the lives of 26 people. Jaishankar said the Pahalgam terror attack was orchestrated so that Kashmir’s tourism economy takes a hit, religious divisions deepen, and fear is instilled among the people.
Jaishankar said that India follows a “zero-tolerance” policy towards terrorism, which is why it launched Operation Sindoor against Pakistan to deliver justice by eliminating terror hotbeds.
‘Pakistan use terrorism as a tool’
“This was a terrorist attack, which is part of a pattern which has targeted not only J&K but other parts of India as well…,” Jaishankar addressed the German Council on Foreign Relations.
He then said that referring to the attack as “conflict” between India and Pakistan places both the perpetrator and the victim on the same footing.
He added, “This [Pahalgam terror attack] was a horrific, brutal attack as it was meant to create a fear psychosis and destroy the tourism economy of Kashmir. It also meant, in a way, to sow religious discord, the manner in which it was done.”
“What we were responding to was terrorism, and when we responded to such an attack, there was a lot of international understanding. To me, it was telling that the UN Security Council, three days after the attack, actually issued a statement saying that people who did it should be brought to justice, should be held accountable. That is exactly what we did on May 7,” he continued.
Jaishankar explained, “We targeted terrorist headquarters and terror sites. Our campaign is against terrorism, and in this case, terrorists happen to be located in the country next door because that country, for many years, has used terrorism as a tool….”
Germany condemns the terror attack
Germany on Friday condemned the April 22 attack in the Valley, stating that it was “appalled” by the incident and affirmed that India has every right to defend itself against terrorism.
“We were appalled by the brutal terrorist attack on India on the 22nd of April. We condemned this attack on civilians in the strongest terms. Our deepest sympathy goes out to all victims and their families. After military attacks on both sides, India, of course, has every right to defend itself against terrorism. The fact that the truce is now in place is something we appreciate very much. What is important now is that this truce remains stable, that dialogue can happen in order to find bilateral solutions for that conflict, taking into account the vital interests of both sides. Germany and India have been fostering a regular dialogue on the fight against terrorism for years, and we intend to intensify it further,” Germany’s Foreign Affairs Minister Johann Wadephul said.
Wadephul added, “Germany will support any fight against terrorism. Terrorism must never have a place in the world, anywhere, and this is why we will support everyone who fights and has to fight terrorism. We very much appreciate that a ceasefire has been reached, and we hope that there will be a solution soon.”
‘India won’t give in to nuclear blackmail’
Jaishankar, at the same event, said that India will never give in to “nuclear blackmail”.
He said, “India has zero tolerance for terrorism. India will never give in to nuclear blackmail, and India will deal with Pakistan purely bilaterally,” before adding, “There should be no confusion in any quarter in that regard. We also value Germany’s understanding that every nation has the right to defend itself against terrorism.”