What happened?
Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar warned that India is prepared to strike “deep into Pakistan” if provoked by terrorist attacks, nearly three weeks after a brief but intense war between the two nuclear-armed countries. Speaking in Brussels, Jaishankar stated that Pakistan’s “commitment to terrorism as an instrument of state policy” remains the core issue. He asserted that the April conflict, which began after India accused Pakistan of sponsoring a terrorist attack in an Indian-administered region that killed 26 civilians, ended because Indian strikes “disabled” eight main Pakistani airfields. Jaishankar reiterated that India will “never give in to nuclear blackmail” and will take decisions in its national interest.
Why it matters to India
EAM Jaishankar’s strong warning signals India’s unwavering resolve against cross-border terrorism and highlights a shift in its response strategy. The assertion that India will not be deterred by “nuclear blackmail” and will act decisively against terrorist organizations, regardless of their location, underscores India’s commitment to national security and its proactive stance against state-sponsored terrorism. This stance aims to deter future attacks and hold accountable those who “sponsor, nurture and utilize” terrorism.