On Sunday, during the press conference held at BJP’s Mumbai office, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar highlighted several topics along with expressing the urgent need for India to strengthen its counter-terrorism response. He mentioned about the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks and pointed out that there was no immediate response from the Indian government at that time. Whereas with present government we have a zero-tolerance policy on terrorism, and said,
“When we talk of zero tolerance against terror, it is clear that when somebody does something, there will be a response.”
“We also have to expose. It is not acceptable that you are doing business during daytime and indulging in terror during the night and I have to pretend that everything is okay,” he added.
The 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks shocked the nation in 2008. The attack was carried out by ten terrorists from the Pakistan-based group Lashkar-e-Taiba which resulted in the deaths of 166 people and left over 300 injured. Jaishankar said that “We should not have a repeat of what happened in Mumbai. That there was a terror attack and there was no response. Mumbai is a symbol of counter-terrorism for India and the world,” PTI quoted.
Jaishankar also recalled that when India held a seat on the UN Security Council, it chaired the counter-terrorism committee and hosted a meeting at the very hotel targeted during the Mumbai attacks. This, he noted, highlights India’s ongoing commitment to combating terrorism on a global scale. In his remarks, Jaishankar connected the need for robust counter-terrorism measures to Maharashtra’s political landscape, suggesting that the state requires a government that collaborates effectively with the central administration. He further said that “double-engine government” is essential for enhancing India’s image internationally while ensuring that state governments are sincere partners in development.
Jaishankar also commented on the India-China border standoff and said indirectly that two countries would go back to the arrangement that existed in April 2020 along the Line of Actual Control in Ladakh. “We expect to return to pre-Oct 31, 2020, patrolling arrangements in areas like Demchok and Depsang. This will take some time,” he said. As per his statement, the next step of de-escalation won’t be taken until India is assured of reciprocity from the other side as well, obviously referring to China.
When he was asked about the Manipur strife, Jaishankar said there are complex reasons for what is happening in the northeastern state. Factors are historical and the rest concern the border situation are some of the many reasons. He further dismissed other nations who are having a problem with Manipur. He said
“Claims like the rest of the world would have a problem with India because Manipur is a political agenda and anti-national agenda. It is not right to damage India’s image in the name of Manipur,”