External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar, while taking part in the debate on Operation Sindoor in the Lok Sabha on Monday, outlined India’s decisive diplomatic efforts in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack, emphasising how strategic foreign policy action helped rally international backing and spotlight Pakistan’s role in cross-border terrorism.
Jaishankar said that following the initial response sanctioned by the Cabinet Committee on Security, it was evident India’s reply would not be confined to military dimensions. "Our task from a diplomatic perspective was to shape the global understanding of the Pahalgam attack," he stated, underlining the importance of exposing Pakistan’s decades-long history of using terrorism as a state policy.
Speaking on Operation Sindoor in the House, EAM Dr S Jaishankar said , ". It was important to send a clear, strong and resolute message after the Pahalgam attack. Our red lines had been crossed. and we had to make it very apparent that there would be serious consequences as a result. The first step, which was taken, was that a meeting of the Cabinet Committee of Security took place on 23rd April.
That meeting decided that-
1. The Indus Waters Treaty of 1960 will be held in abeyance with immediate effect until Pakistan credibly and irrevocably abjures its support for cross-border terrorism.
2. The Integrated Check Post Attari would be closed with immediate effect.
3. Pakistani nationals who are travelling under SARC visa exemption scheme will no longer be allowed to do that.
4. The Defence, Naval and Air advisors of the Pakistani High Commission would be declared Persona non grata
5. The overall strength of the High Commission would be brought down to 30 from the number of 55."
EAM also says "It was very clear that, after the first set of steps approved by the Cabinet Committee on Security, India's response to the Pahalgam attack would not stop there. Our task from a diplomatic perspective, from a foreign policy approach, was to shape the global understanding of the Pahalgam attack. What we tried to do was to bring out to the international community Pakistan's long-standing use of cross-border terrorism. We highlighted the history of terrorism in Pakistan and how this particular attack was meant to target the economy of Jammu and Kashmir and to sow communal discord among the people of India."
Highlighting the calculated targeting of Jammu and Kashmir’s economy and an attempt to instigate communal discord, the minister stressed that India took the matter to the UN Security Council, despite Pakistan currently holding a seat on the body. “The challenge was that Pakistan is a member of the Security Council and we are not,” Jaishankar noted.
The minister outlined two primary diplomatic objectives: to secure a firm endorsement from the Council on accountability for the attack, and to ensure that its perpetrators and sponsors were brought to justice.
Referring to the Security Council statement issued on April 25, Jaishankar said, “The Council condemned the terrorist attack in the strongest terms… and affirmed that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and security.” Most significantly, the statement emphasised the need to hold accountable those responsible—including organisers, financers, and sponsors of the attack.
Speaking on Operation Sindoor in the House, EAM Dr S Jaishankar said, "From 25 April till the commencement of Operation Sindoor, there were a number of phone calls and conversations. At my level, there were 27 calls; at PM Modi's level, almost 20 calls. About 35-40 letters of support came in, and what we tried to do was to create a narrative, prepare the diplomacy for the launch of Operation Sindoor. There are 193 nations in the United Nations, only 3 countries apart from Pakistan opposed Operation Sindoor."
*With Agency Inputs
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