External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar has asserted India's sovereign right to defend itself against terrorism, stating firmly that "bad neighbours" will not dictate India's counter-terrorism strategies. Speaking at an event at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras on Friday, Jaishankar emphasized that India faces a unique challenge with persistent, state-sponsored terrorism and will act accordingly to protect its people and national security.

Jaishankar's remarks, while not directly naming Pakistan, alluded to India's western neighbor, highlighting the long-standing issue of cross-border terrorism. He made it clear that India will not accept external pressure or advice on how to handle terrorism, emphasizing that India's response will be determined solely by New Delhi. "How we exercise that right is up to us. Nobody can tell us what we should or should not do. We will do whatever we have to do to defend ourselves," he stated.

The EAM underscored the untenability of expecting cooperation while simultaneously engaging in hostile actions. He used water-sharing as an example, stating, "You can't say, 'Please share water with me, but I will continue terrorism with you.' That's not reconcilable". This statement comes against the backdrop of strained relations between India and Pakistan, particularly after the deadly terror attack in April 2025 in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir.

Jaishankar differentiated between "good neighbours" and "bad neighbours," emphasizing India's support for the former during difficult times. He cited India's assistance to neighboring countries during the Covid-19 pandemic, the Ukraine conflict, and Sri Lanka's financial crisis as examples of its commitment to regional well-being. He stated that India’s foreign policy aims to maximize impact with its resources and that most neighbors understand they can grow with India. However, this cooperation cannot extend to those who persist in promoting terrorism.

Furthermore, Jaishankar addressed concerns about China's behavior towards Arunachal Pradesh, acknowledging the November 2025 incident where an Arunachalee woman was stopped at Shanghai airport. He confirmed that India had lodged a protest and reiterated India's firm stance that Arunachal Pradesh "is and will always be part of India," and that such tactics would not change this reality.