Shifting Paradigms in National Security

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has delivered a definitive stance on India's foreign policy regarding Pakistan, emphasizing that while New Delhi desires positive diplomatic relations, it will not compromise on national security or overlook state-sponsored terrorism to achieve them.

Speaking at a prominent global summit on Thursday, Jaishankar highlighted a fundamental shift in India's strategic doctrine. He noted that the nation's policy response to cross-border provocations has evolved significantly over the past decade, moving away from passive diplomacy to decisive action.

"The evolution is that if terrorism goes on, it will not be business as usual," Jaishankar stated, referencing decisive military responses such as the 2016 surgical strikes, the 2019 Balakot airstrikes, and Operation Sindoor.

The Legacy of 26/11 and Strategic Clarity

Reflecting on the watershed moment of the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, the External Affairs Minister underscored the importance of self-reliance in counter-terrorism strategy. He asserted that India no longer waits for international validation, such as approval from Washington or other global powers, to defend its sovereignty.

"If Washington understood it so well, why didn't we act in 2008, when 26/11 happened? And when we did act, we didn't act because Washington understood it; we acted because we understood it," Jaishankar remarked.

He stressed that international perception is shaped entirely by a nation's willingness to retaliate. "The world watched what we did after the attack, and because we did nothing, the world drew its lessons. When you respond, the world will take note. When you don't respond, the world will play games."

A Transformed National Consensus

Addressing queries about the broader diplomatic landscape and Islamabad's diplomatic outreach to Western administrations, Jaishankar maintained that India's domestic resolve remains unshakable. He pointed out a profound transformation in the country's national mood following the 2008 tragedy.

"The national mood on Pakistan changed after 26/11. Till then, there were people who would keep making these arguments. After 26/11, only the government of the day made the argument," he said.

Concluding his remarks, the minister reiterated that India's foundational desire for regional peace remains intact, but it is strictly conditioned on the complete cessation of terrorism as an instrument of state policy by Islamabad.