Terrorists Don't Play By Rules, Response To Terrorism Can't Be By Rules: S Jaishankar

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Friday (12 April) said that India’s approach to dealing with terrorism has significantly changed since 2014.

Speaking at an event in Pune, titled 'Why Bharat Matters: Opportunity for youth and participation in global scenario', Jaishankar emphasised the proactive stance India has adopted in response to terrorism.

When asked about which are the countries that India finds difficult to maintain relationships with, he said one, Pakistan, was in the neighbourhood and "for that we are only responsible".

Highlighting historical context, Jaishankar mentioned the 1947 invasion of Kashmir by Pakistan, which led to military actions by India and subsequent political manoeuvres at the United Nations.

He critiqued past policies for not directly addressing the role of terrorism in these conflicts, suggesting that a clearer stance from the beginning might have led to a different policy framework.

"While the Indian Army was taking its action, we stopped and went to the UN and mentioned the work of tribal invaders instead of terrorism (Lashkar). If we, from the very start, were clear that Pakistan is using terrorism, then would have had a very different policy," the EAM said.

"Terrorism cannot be acceptable under any circumstances," he asserted.

On the continuity and evolution of India's foreign policy, Jaishankar explained that there is a blend of consistency and change, with a major shift being the approach towards terrorism.

He recalled the national sentiment following the Mumbai attacks in 2008, where the perceived cost of retaliation was debated against the imperatives of national security.

"After the Mumbai attack, there was not a single person who felt we should not have responded. But it was thought at the time that the cost of attacking Pakistan is more than not attacking Pakistan," he added, NDTV reported.

"If something like Mumbai (26/11) happens now and if one does not react then how does one prevent the next attack," Jaishankar asked.

"Terrorists should not feel since they are across the border, no one can touch them. Terrorists do not play by any rules so the answer to the terrorists cannot have any rules," he said.

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