External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar has conveyed India's firm stance on counter-terrorism to its Quad partners, emphasizing the nation's right to defend its citizens and expecting understanding and appreciation from the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue members. This message was delivered at a recent Quad foreign ministers' meeting in Washington D.C., against the backdrop of the Pahalgam terror attack and broader regional security concerns.
Jaishankar highlighted the importance of zero tolerance for terrorism, stating firmly that "victims and perpetrators must never be equated". He asserted India's determination to exercise its right to defend its people, a statement made with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong, and Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya present.
The minister's remarks are particularly significant considering recent instances where some countries appeared to draw parallels between India and Pakistan. India has been surprised with the US President hosting Pakistan Army chief Asim Munir at the White house last month. Jaishankar's message underscores India's unwillingness to allow external perceptions or concerns to dictate its response to cross-border terrorism. He has made it clear that India will not tolerate terrorists being treated as proxies, nor will it spare governments that support, finance, or motivate them. Furthermore, India will not allow nuclear blackmail to deter it from responding to such threats.
The Quad meeting also served as a platform to reaffirm the group's commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific region. Jaishankar emphasized the necessity of ensuring that nations in the Indo-Pacific have the freedom to make their own choices regarding development and security. He outlined the progress made in Quad initiatives, including maritime domain awareness, logistics, education, and political coordination. He noted that the Quad is evolving to become more cohesive, agile, and focused.
Looking ahead, India is preparing to host the next Quad summit, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi expected to welcome U.S. President Donald Trump, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba. Jaishankar mentioned that India has proposals to ensure the summit is productive and expressed confidence that a constructive path forward can be agreed upon with its partners. The streamlining of Quad working groups into a more efficient structure is also underway to enhance the group's functioning.
