Any attack on India will draw firm response: Jaishankar

After Pakistan’s call for de-escalation following India’s Operation Sindoor, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday said India does not intend to escalate matters but any military attack on the country will be met with a firm response.

On Wednesday, Pakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Asif had said Islamabad is open to reducing tensions with India if New Delhi chooses to de-escalate the current situation. The minister’s remarks came after India carried out Operation Sindoor to avenge terror attack in J&K’s marque tourist resort that left 26 persons dead.

The operation was conducted on Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir (PoK) in which the government said nine terror structures were destroyed. Additionally, India clarified that the operation was meant to target only terrorist camps and no military installations were impacted.

Jaishankar said the Pahalgam terror attack compelled India to carry out the cross-border strike on terror infrastructure. “The terror attack compelled us to respond on May 7 by striking at the cross-border terrorist infrastructure. Our response was targeted and measured. It is not our intention to escalate the situation. However, if there are military attacks on us, there should be no doubt that it will be met with a very, very firm response,” he said at a meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. As India’s neighbour and close partner, it is important that Iran has a good understanding of the situation, he said. The Iranian minister is in New Delhi for a scheduled visit amid escalating tensions.

Meanwhile, Saudi Arabian State Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir arrived in New Delhi. His visit was not publicly announced. The announcement was made by EAM Jaishankar on his social media account. “Shared India’s perspectives on firmly countering terrorism,” Jaishankar said on X.

Incidentally, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was on Saudi Arabia visit when the terror attack in Pahalgam’s meadow Baisaran took place. The country holds considerable influence on the Muslim world, including Pakistan.