India's External Affairs Minister, S Jaishankar, delivered a resolute message during his visit to Singapore, emphasizing India's firm stance against terrorism emanating from Pakistan. Addressing the audience after a lecture on his book 'Why Bharat Matters' at the Institute of South Asian Studies (ISAS) of the National University of Singapore (NUS), Jaishankar underscored the necessity for a stable neighborhood and expressed India's determination not to turn a blind eye to terrorism.
Jaishankar highlighted Pakistan's continued sponsorship of terrorism against India, characterizing it as a systemic issue rather than isolated incidents. He questioned how to engage with a neighbor openly employing terrorism as a tool of statecraft. The minister stressed India's resolve not to evade the problem anymore, stating that overlooking terrorism only exacerbates the situation.
Asserting the prevailing sentiment in India, Jaishankar conveyed a stern message to Islamabad, stating that India would no longer tolerate terrorism and would confront the issue head-on. He acknowledged the complexity of the problem but emphasized the importance of honest acknowledgment and proactive measures.
The strained relations between India and Pakistan, marked by incidents like the Pathankot Air Force base attack in 2016 and the Pulwama terror attack in 2019, have escalated tensions. India has consistently communicated to Pakistan its desire for normal relations devoid of terrorism and violence.
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