Portrait of Subrahmanyam Jaishankar
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Subrahmanyam Jaishankar on Pakistan

Zero-tolerance on terror (strong)

TL;DR

Subrahmanyam Jaishankar maintains a firm, zero-tolerance stance, insisting Pakistan must end state-sponsored terrorism for any meaningful dialogue.

Key Points

  • He asserted that for decades, major international terrorist attacks have been traced back to India's neighbor, demanding relentless international pressure on the terror ecosystem as of September 2025.

  • He stated that New Delhi reserves the right to retaliate against militant attacks, having conducted measured strikes against terrorist targets in response to past incidents.

  • Subrahmanyam Jaishankar explicitly stated that the Indus Water Treaty goodwill is irreconcilable with the continuation of terrorism, as reported in January 2026.

Summary

Subrahmanyam Jaishankar's core position on Pakistan centers on viewing cross-border terrorism as the primary, irreconcilable obstacle to normal relations, demanding an end to what he terms the state's active support for militant activities. He has stated unequivocally that terrorist organizations operate openly from Pakistani cities, often naming them, and asserts India's right to defend its people and retaliate against militant attacks, referencing recent targeted strikes as sending a clear signal. He considers terrorism an independent, unacceptable international crime that cannot be justified by political disputes like Kashmir.

This stance implies that dialogue, such as reviving the Indus Waters Treaty, is impossible while terrorism persists, as good neighborliness cannot coexist with terror sponsorship. While he has been documented engaging in a public, albeit unexpected, handshake with a Pakistani official in late 2025, indicating a minimal level of necessary diplomatic courtesy, he has concurrently rejected third-party mediation on bilateral issues, underscoring that India resists external influence in resolving its difficult relationship with its neighbor.

Key Quotes

When you have bad neighbours … if you look to the one to the West — if a country decides that they will deliberately, persistently, unrepentantly continue with terrorism, we have a right to defend our people against terrorism,” he was quoted as saying by The Hindu.

Frequently Asked Questions

Subrahmanyam Jaishankar's position is strongly defined by his 'zero-tolerance' policy towards terrorism emanating from Pakistan. He asserts that until Pakistan stops sponsoring terrorism, there can be no meaningful bilateral engagement or normalization of ties.

While the core stance against terrorism remains strong, a public handshake with a Pakistani representative in late 2025 indicated a pragmatic willingness to engage in minimal diplomatic courtesy when necessary. However, this did not signal any change in the hard line on terrorism.

The Minister for External Affairs has stated that the Pakistani state, including its army, is actively involved in supporting, financing, and organizing terrorism. He noted that notorious terrorists on UN lists operate openly from Pakistani cities, which he claims is an undeniable fact.