The foreign ministers of the US, India, Japan, and Australia issued a joint statement condemning the April 22 terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam, which claimed the lives of 26 people. The Quad partners strongly denounced the act of violence and called for the perpetrators, organisers, and financiers of the attack to be swiftly brought to justice.

Terrorists opened fire at the Baisaran meadow in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam on April 22, which resulted in the deaths of 26 people, mostly tourists. The attackers were found to have links with Pakistan-based groups.

In response to the terror attack, India launched ‘Operation Sindoor’ on May 7, targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) in a series of precision strikes by the Indian armed forces.

On the night of May 8, Pakistan targeted multiple Indian positions in Jammu & Kashmir and Punjab using swarm drones and heavy artillery. India successfully thwarted all attacks and launched strong counterstrikes in response. Later, following direct talks, India formally declared a ceasefire between New Delhi and Islamabad.

QUAD MEETING 2025

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, along with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Japan’s Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya, and Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong, participated in the Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting held at the US Department of State on Tuesday.

The ministers discussed a broad range of regional and global issues, with a strong focus on counterterrorism cooperation.

Jaishankar, who is visiting the US from June 30 to July 2 at Rubio’s invitation, also held a meeting with him on the sidelines of the Quad session. The two leaders discussed key aspects of the India-US strategic partnership and exchanged views on global and regional developments.

During the meeting, Jaishankar strongly denounced terrorism and referenced India’s recent counterterrorism operations, including Operation Sindoor, launched in response to the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam.

“A word about terrorism in the light of our recent experience. The world must display zero tolerance. Victims and perpetrators must never be equated, and India has every right to defend its people against terrorism, and we will exercise that right. We expect our Quad partners to understand and appreciate that,” Jaishankar said.

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