What happened?
On 30 June 2025, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, speaking at Newsweek HQ in New York, termed the Pahalgam terror attack an “act of economic warfare” aimed at destroying tourism in Kashmir. He affirmed India’s right to respond to cross-border terrorism and rejected the idea of “nuclear blackmail” by Pakistan. Operation Sindoor, launched in retaliation, targeted Pakistan-based terror infrastructure.
Why it matters to India
Jaishankar’s remarks reinforce India’s assertive counter-terrorism doctrine and strategic clarity on Kashmir. By framing the attack as economic sabotage, India underscores the broader national security implications. Rejecting nuclear deterrence as a constraint, India signals a resolute posture against state-sponsored terrorism, appealing to international stakeholders to adopt a zero-tolerance stance on cross-border terror networks.