External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has delivered a strong message against terrorism at a QUAD event in Washington D.C., emphasizing that victims and perpetrators cannot be equated. He stressed the need for zero tolerance for terrorism, highlighting that there should be no justification for allowing, supporting, or financing terrorist acts.

Jaishankar's remarks come shortly after inaugurating an exhibition at the United Nations headquarters in New York titled "The Human Cost of Terrorism". The exhibition serves as a stark reminder of the devastating impact of terrorism worldwide and showcases the international community's efforts to combat it. Featured attacks include the 1993 Mumbai bomb blasts, the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, and the recent attack in Pahalgam.

Speaking at the UN, Jaishankar asserted that "terrorism anywhere is a threat to peace everywhere". He underscored the importance of exposing state sponsorship of terrorism, stating that any state support must be called out publicly. He added that terrorism is the antithesis of the UN's core values, including human rights, rules, and norms.

Jaishankar highlighted the UN Security Council's strong condemnation of the recent "horrific act of terrorism" in Pahalgam and its demand that the perpetrators be held accountable. He noted that the international response to the Pahalgam attack underlines the significance of zero tolerance for terrorism.

In an interview with Newsweek in Manhattan, Jaishankar stated that India will not yield to nuclear blackmail and will no longer accept terrorists being treated as proxies, nor spare governments that support and finance them. He affirmed that terrorists will face "no impunity," and India will take necessary measures to defend its people.

Jaishankar pointed out India's long history as a victim of terrorism, spanning four decades and including attacks such as the 26/11 Mumbai attack and the Parliament attack. He conveyed India's firm message to global powers and international institutions that terrorism is a threat to all, and no country should use it as an instrument.

During his U.S. visit, Jaishankar is also participating in the Quad Foreign Ministers Meeting, hosted by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The ministers are discussing regional and global developments, particularly concerning the Indo-Pacific, and reviewing progress on Quad initiatives. They are also expected to consider new proposals to advance the shared vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific.