External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Friday described Pakistan as a “bad neighbour” and firmly asserted India’s right to defend its citizens against terrorism. Speaking during an interaction with students at the Indian Institute of Technology Madras, the minister said India would take all necessary steps to protect its people and would not accept external interference in decisions related to national security.
Referring to India’s counterterror actions, Jaishankar stated that no country has the authority to dictate what India should or should not do when its security is at stake. His remarks were seen as an indirect reference to Operation Sindoor, carried out last year in response to a deadly terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam region.
The Pahalgam attack in April claimed the lives of 26 civilians. Investigations later established links to The Resistance Front, a proxy group associated with Pakistan-based terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba. Following the attack, India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7, targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Indian officials said the operation resulted in the elimination of over 100 terrorists.
Addressing the issue of hostile neighbours, Jaishankar said some countries unfortunately face persistent threats from across their borders. He noted that when a neighbouring nation deliberately and repeatedly supports terrorism, India has every right to defend itself. He stressed that how India exercises this right is a sovereign decision and will be determined solely by national interests.
The minister also spoke about the Indus Waters Treaty signed between India and Pakistan in 1960. He said the agreement was based on the principle of good neighbourly relations. However, he added that decades of terrorism have undermined that foundation. According to Jaishankar, it is unreasonable for a country to expect cooperation on water sharing while continuing hostile actions. He stated that the benefits of neighbourliness cannot exist in the absence of trust and peace.
Jaishankar remarked that India shares borders with several countries and has diverse relationships across the region. He said India’s natural approach has always been to assist neighbours who are friendly or at least non-hostile. However, he made it clear that this goodwill cannot be extended to those who consistently threaten India’s security.
The External Affairs Minister also reiterated his earlier view that many of India’s challenges originate from the Pakistani military establishment. He compared the idea of good and bad terrorists with good and not-so-good military leadership, comments widely interpreted as a reference to Pakistan Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir.
Tensions between India and Pakistan escalated sharply following the Pahalgam attack. After India carried out Operation Sindoor, Pakistan responded with missile and drone strikes, which were successfully intercepted by Indian defence systems. In response, Indian armed forces carried out retaliatory strikes on Pakistani airfields. A ceasefire was later announced on May 10, bringing a temporary halt to hostilities.
Jaishankar’s remarks highlighted India’s firm stance against terrorism and underscored the government’s resolve to safeguard national security, even amid heightened regional tensions.
