External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has said India wants good relations with Pakistan but will not overlook terrorism to achieve that goal. Speaking at the NDTV World Summit 2026 on October 22, he stressed that India must have the conviction to respond to cross-border terrorism rather than depend on other countries to address its concerns.
His remarks came amid questions about Pakistan’s growing engagement with the Donald Trump administration and concerns over Washington’s understanding of India’s position on terrorism.
Jaishankar Says India Must Act on Its Own Security Concerns
Jaishankar said India could not rely on the United States or other countries to fully understand its security concerns. Referring to the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, he argued that India’s response must be guided by its own assessment of the threat.
He cited the 2016 surgical strikes, the 2019 Balakot airstrikes and Operation Sindoor in 2025 as examples of India’s evolving response to terrorism.
The minister said continued cross-border attacks could not be followed by a return to normal diplomatic engagement as though nothing had happened. He emphasised that India must respond decisively to terrorism and that its actions would influence how the international community viewed the issue.
India-Pakistan Ties Cannot Come at the Cost of Security
Reiterating India’s position, Jaishankar said the country wanted cordial relations with Pakistan and all its neighbours. However, he made it clear that improved bilateral relations could not come at the cost of overlooking terrorism.
His comments underline the government’s position that normal engagement with Pakistan must take account of cross-border security threats.
US-Pakistan Ties and India’s Diplomatic Position
The minister’s remarks also come amid renewed attention to relations between Washington and Islamabad. Jaishankar maintained that India must independently assess threats and respond according to its national interests, regardless of how other countries approach Pakistan.
The statement highlights India’s continued emphasis on strategic autonomy and counterterrorism in its foreign policy. New Delhi’s approach to Pakistan, he indicated, would be shaped by developments on the security front rather than by external diplomatic expectations.
