At the Raisina Tokyo 2025 forum, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri addressed the critical issue of global terrorism, emphasizing the importance of differentiating between victims and perpetrators of terror attacks. His remarks come against the backdrop of increasing concerns about terrorism and recent events involving India and its neighbor, Pakistan.
Misri acknowledged and expressed gratitude for Japan's support following the tragic terror attack in Pahalgam on April 22, which resulted in the deaths of 26 people. He stressed that terrorism recognizes no boundaries and affects people worldwide, emphasizing the need to avoid equating victims and perpetrators of such acts.
His comments are particularly significant given the tendency in some Western narratives to place India and Pakistan on equal footing, especially after military confrontations. In response to the Pahalgam attack, India launched precision strikes targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir in early May. Subsequently, Pakistan attempted to attack Indian military bases, leading to retaliatory strikes by India on Pakistani air bases.
Misri's stance reflects India's firm position that it is a victim of cross-border terrorism, while Pakistan is a perpetrator. He has been vocal about Pakistan's role in supporting terrorist activities, stating that incidents of terror in India are directly or indirectly linked to Pakistan. He has also highlighted that UN-designated terrorists operate freely in Pakistan, inciting violence against India, and pointed to a nexus between terrorists, Pakistani military intelligence, and the civilian administration.
In a recent briefing, Misri criticized the idea of Pakistan conducting an investigation into the Pahalgam terror attack, comparing it to "asking a thief to conduct an investigation." He noted that India has provided Pakistan with evidence related to terror targets but has seen no action taken.
To counter Pakistan's narrative and highlight its role in promoting terrorism, India has launched a diplomatic initiative called "Operation Sindoor Outreach." Multi-party delegations, comprising Members of Parliament, former ministers, diplomats, and political leaders, are being dispatched to various countries to present evidence of Pakistan's terror infrastructure and its support for groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM).
Misri has also addressed the economic challenges facing the world, noting that global uncertainties are at their highest in recent memory due to the COVID-19 pandemic, supply chain disruptions, wars, and the weaponization of trade and technology. He emphasized India's role as a source of stability and its efforts to strengthen its manufacturing sector and infrastructure. He noted that India and Japan's partnership could be impactful in these regards.
India's commitment to combating terrorism is unwavering, and it seeks to work with the international community to ensure that safe havens for terrorists are eliminated and those enabling them are held accountable. This involves not only military action but also diplomatic efforts to isolate Pakistan and expose its support for terrorism.
