“Bad Neighbours”: S Jaishankar shreds Pakistan, then a stern warning as India asserts its right to act against terrorism

“Bad Neighbours”: S Jaishankar shreds Pakistan, then a stern warning as India’s External Affairs Minister made it clear that the country will take all necessary steps to protect its people from terrorism. Speaking at a public interaction with students in Chennai, Jaishankar said that India will decide for itself how to respond to threats and will not accept instructions from outside forces.

The remarks came in the context of rising tensions between India and Pakistan following a deadly terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir earlier this year. Jaishankar’s comments reflected India’s firm position that repeated acts of cross-border terrorism leave the country with no choice but to act in self-defence.

Addressing students, the minister described Pakistan as a difficult and hostile neighbour that has consistently supported terrorism. He said that when a country deliberately continues such actions, it cannot expect normal relations or goodwill in return. According to him, protecting citizens is a basic duty of the Indian state, and that responsibility will always come first.

“Bad Neighbours”: S Jaishankar Shreds Pakistan While Defending India’s Actions

“Bad Neighbours”: S Jaishankar shreds Pakistan by pointing out that peaceful coexistence is impossible when one side continues to use violence as a policy tool. He stressed that India has exercised restraint for years but will not remain passive when lives are lost due to terror attacks.

Referring indirectly to Operation Sindoor, Jaishankar said India had acted last year to dismantle terror infrastructure across the border after clear evidence of involvement in the Pahalgam attack. That attack claimed the lives of several civilians and was later linked to a Pakistan-based terror network operating through local proxies.

The minister said that India’s response was lawful, measured, and necessary. He added that decisions on national security are taken by India alone, based on its own assessment of threats. No external power, he said, has the authority to dictate how India defends itself.

Jaishankar also spoke about the broader challenge of dealing with hostile neighbours. While India shares friendly ties with many countries around it, he said that the situation is different when a neighbour repeatedly undermines peace. In such cases, trust breaks down, and cooperation becomes difficult.

He highlighted that India has always supported regional stability but will not compromise on security. According to him, terrorism cannot be separated from diplomatic or economic discussions, as it affects every aspect of bilateral relations.

“Bad Neighbours”: S Jaishankar Shreds Pakistan as Policy Shifts Take Shape

“Bad Neighbours”: S Jaishankar shreds Pakistan again while explaining India’s decision to suspend key agreements that depended on mutual trust. One such issue is the Indus Waters Treaty, signed decades ago to manage shared river waters between the two countries.

Jaishankar said agreements based on goodwill cannot survive in an environment of violence. He explained that it is unreasonable to expect cooperation on sensitive matters while simultaneously supporting acts that harm civilians. Without good neighbourly behaviour, the benefits of such arrangements cannot continue.

He also pointed to the role of Pakistan’s military establishment, stating that many of India’s long-standing security problems originate there. While not naming individuals directly, his remarks were widely seen as criticism of Pakistan’s military leadership and its influence over policy decisions.

The minister added that India remains open to peace, but peace must be built on honesty and responsibility. Empty promises, he said, cannot replace real action against terror networks.

Meanwhile, the situation along the border has remained tense since the events following Operation Sindoor. After India targeted terror camps, Pakistan responded with missile and drone activity, which India successfully intercepted. Further military actions followed before both sides agreed to a ceasefire.

Despite the ceasefire, Jaishankar’s remarks suggest that India’s stance has hardened. The message was clear: future actions will depend entirely on Pakistan’s conduct. Also Read: ‘We also have bad neighbours’: Jaishankar defends airstrikes in Pakistan after Pahalgam terror attack

Conclusion

“Bad Neighbours”: S Jaishankar shreds Pakistan, then a stern warning that India will always act to protect its people. His statement underlines a firm policy approach where security comes first, cooperation depends on behaviour, and decisions are made solely in India’s national interest.