Cross-border terrorism will get appropriate response: Jaishankar’s stern message in LS to Pak

External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar on Monday made it clear to Pakistan that India will not yield to nuclear blackmail, and cross border terrorism will get an appropriate response.

Intervening in the debate in the Lok Sabha on India’s strong, successful and decisive ‘Operation Sindoor’ in response to terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jaishankar also stated that terrorists will not be treated as proxies, terror and talks can’t go together and terror and good neighbourliness cannot coexist.

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”Blood and water cannot flow together…the challenge of cross-border terrorism continues, but Operation Sindoor marks a new face, that is now the new normal,” the External Affairs Minister said.

He further said through Operation Sindoor, “India sent a message – we will defend ourselves, and we will do so decisively”.

Jaishankar said only three countries, including Pakistan, opposed India’s response. The overwhelming global sentiment, he said, was in support of India’s right to self-defence.

“The world wanted to know what India was thinking; we gave a common message. India is exercising its right to defend itself. There will be no mediation with Pakistan. We will not bow down to Pakistan’s nuclear blackmail,” the External Affairs Minister asserted, dismissing any speculation about third-party involvement in resolving tensions.

He asserted that the Quad countries, along with BRICS members, including China, condemned the Pahalgam attack and acknowledged India’s right to retaliate.

Jaishankar emphasised that India has consistently taken the global lead in exposing Pakistan’s long-standing role in supporting terrorism. “We told the world leaders our zero tolerance against terrorism. We have the right to defend,” he said, underlining India’s resolve.

The External Affairs Minister credited Indian diplomacy for the US decision to designate The Resistance Front (TRF), a Pakistan-backed terror outfit, as a Foreign Terrorist Organisation (FTO) and a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT).

“TRF has twice claimed responsibility for the Pahalgam terror attack. Pakistan kept on denying it. TRF has been designated as a global terrorist organisation. Pakistan is still defending and shielding TRF,” he told the Lok Sabha.

“Thanks to our diplomacy, the TRF has been designated as a Global Terrorist Organisation by the US government, and the same Pakistani foreign minister who took so much pride saying he defended the TRF says if the US has done this, we accept this,” the External Affairs Minister said.

He also urged all political parties and citizens to rally behind the armed forces.

“We should stand firmly with our forces to foil a huge attack,” Jaishankar said, adding that India’s battle against terrorism is not just military but diplomatic – and one it is determined to win.

“There was no call between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump between April 22 and June 17,” the External Affairs Minister said, putting to rest speculation that international pressure played a role during the Operation Sindoor phase.

He said India’s response to terrorism emanating from across the border will not end with Operation Sindoor.

“We will take whatever action is necessary to protect our citizens and interests,” he said, reinforcing the government’s commitment to national security.

The External Affairs Minister also confirmed that visa restrictions on Pakistani nationals will remain in place as part of India’s broader counter-terrorism strategy.

“These measures are part of our broader strategy to deal with the threat of terrorism,” Jaishankar added.