The Indian government has firmly stated that Pakistan, as a perpetrator of terrorism, cannot be placed on the same level as India, which is a victim of cross-border terrorism. This message was conveyed to Parliament on Thursday. In the aftermath of Operation Sindoor, seven all-party delegations visited various global capitals and "emphatically conveyed" this message.
India's strong stance follows a series of events, including the terror attack in Pahalgam on April 22, which resulted in the deaths of 26 people. India responded with precision strikes targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in early May. Pakistan retaliated with attempted attacks on Indian military bases, which India countered with further strikes on Pakistani air bases.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has consistently reiterated India's position against terrorism, emphasizing that the nation will never equate the perpetrators of terrorist acts with their victims. He also thanked the United Kingdom for their strong condemnation of the Pahalgam attack. Jaishankar conveyed to UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy India's firm stance against equating those who support terrorism with its victims, stressing a policy of zero tolerance.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also asserted that India will not tolerate nuclear threats or be susceptible to blackmail, lauding the armed forces for their role in Operation Sindoor. He underscored the need for decisive international action against terrorism and those who support it.
India is actively engaging with the international community, dispatching multi-party delegations to various global capitals to highlight Pakistan's role in promoting terrorism and India's measured response. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri stressed the importance of not drawing a false equivalence between victims and perpetrators of terrorist acts, particularly in light of Western narratives that tend to place India and Pakistan on equal footing.
The recent events and India's firm diplomatic stance underscore a clear message: there can be no moral equivalence between a state that sponsors terrorism and a state that is victimized by it. India's commitment to combating terrorism remains unwavering, and it expects its international partners to understand and support this position. This principle is crucial in the global fight against terrorism, ensuring that perpetrators are held accountable and victims receive the justice and recognition they deserve.
