External affairs minister S Jaishankar, who is currently in Brussels to meet the European Union (EU) leaders, had pushed back against the international media’s narrative that the India’s action “Operation Sindoor” against Pakistan following the terror in Kashmir was a tit-for-tat between two nuclear-armed neighbours and questioned the presence of Osama bin Laden in Pakistan. In an exclusive interview with European news website Euractiv, Jaishankar recalled the October 1947 incident when “Pakistan sent invaders” and claimed that the Western countries were very supportive of this. When asked about the international media’s narrative over Operation Sindoor, Jaishankar said, “Let me remind you of something – there was a man named Osama bin Laden. Why did he, of all people, feel safe living for years in a Pakistani military town, right next to their equivalent of West Point?”“I want the world to understand – this isn’t merely an India–Pakistan issue. It’s about terrorism. And that very same terrorism will eventually come back to haunt you,” he added.
On Russia-Ukraine
Jaishankar also addressed why India has not taken any side in Russia Ukraine war. He said India don’t believe that differences can be resolved through war or from the battlefield. He further added that it’s not for India to prescribe what that solution should be. When asked that India’s being judgemental enough by refusing to take a side when Russia is clearly the aggressor, Jaishankar said, “We have a strong relationship with Ukraine as well – it’s not only about Russia. But every country, naturally, considers its own experience, history and interests. India has the longest-standing grievance – our borders were violated just months after independence, when Pakistan sent in invaders to Kashmir. And the countries that were most supportive of that? Western countries.”“If those same countries – who were evasive or reticent then – now say ‘let’s have a great conversation about international principles’, I think I’m justified in asking them to reflect on their own past,” he added.
On new geopolitical order
Jaishankar said that the multipolarity is already here. Europe now faces the need to make more decisions in its own interest – using its own capabilities, and based on the relationships it fosters globally.“I hear terms like ‘strategic autonomy’ being used in Europe – these were once part of our vocabulary,” Jaishankar said in an interview.
On Trump and India ties
Jaishakar said, “I take the world as I find it. Our aim is to advance every relationship that serves our interests – and the US relationship is of immense importance to us. It’s not about personality X or president Y.”
On India’s relationship with China
mJaishankar said that any companies are becoming increasingly careful about where they locate their data – they’d rather place it somewhere secure and trustworthy than simply go for efficiency.