Our Bureau
Brussels
India’s External Affairs Minister, Mr. S Jaishankar has made strong claims on India’s firm stance against terrorism in Brussels where he is currently meeting the European Union (EU) leaders. The minister called the West to see India’s actions against terrorism in Kashmir.
While talking to the journalists in Brussels, Jaishankar shared his disappointment with how the major conflict between two nations were perceived. India’s Operation Sindoor was showcased as an attack on Pakistan rather than their retaliation on terrorists after the terror attack on Pahalgam.
The minister questioned them on why Osama bin Laden felt so secure living in Pakistan. He reflected on how India is not against Pakistan as a country but is standing strongly against terrorism. He also warned everyone through the platform that the world should support in its fight against terrorism to end it completely.
“Let me remind you of something – there was a man named Osama bin Laden. Why did he, of all people, feel safe living for years in a Pakistani military town, right next to their equivalent of West Point?… I want the world to understand – this isn’t merely an India-Pakistan issue. It’s about terrorism. And that very same terrorism will eventually come back to haunt you,” he said.
Jaishankar was asked about why India didn’t stand by the EU in sanctioning Russia following its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. He had a precise reply standing firm with India’s belief that peace can’t come through wars. He also stated that India has had great relationships with both Ukraine and Russia.
He also pressed that when India and Pakistan gained independence and Pakistan invaded Indian lands back then, India didn’t get any support from the West. In fact, he mentioned how the West stood united with Pakistan and supported them back then.
The minister said, “India has the longest-standing grievance – our borders were violated just months after independence, when Pakistan sent invaders to Kashmir. And the countries that were most supportive of that? Western countries.”
The External Affairs Minister reflected that India looks to strengthen their ties with the European Union and other nations of the west. He had stated that he perceives the EU as a major pole in the global order and he is here to strengthen its ties with India.
