Some States Put Political Interests Ahead of Counterterrorism, Says Jaishankar

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Sunday said the use of terrorism as an instrument of statecraft is unacceptable and can neither be justified nor rationalised, warning that the menace persists because some countries fail to demonstrate zero tolerance towards it.

Addressing an event in New Delhi to mark the 75th anniversary of Chinmaya Mission, Jaishankar stressed the importance of preserving peace amid ongoing conflicts across the world. He said historical lessons had not prevented some states from allowing political calculations to take precedence over the need to combat terrorism.

“Terrorism is another deadly threat to peace. Its usage as an instrument of statecraft is simply unacceptable. It can never be justified. It can never be rationalised,” the minister said. Without naming any country, Jaishankar observed that terrorism continued partly because not all states displayed zero tolerance towards the threat. He called for greater global awareness of terrorism and urged countries to unite with stronger resolve to counter it in all its forms and manifestations.

Emphasising the interconnected nature of global peace, Jaishankar said conflicts in one part of the world posed a threat to stability elsewhere. “Let us consider the indivisibility of peace. Now, war anywhere threatens peace everywhere,” he said. The minister referred to the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and West Asia, underscoring India's position that dialogue and diplomacy remain the only way to resolve disputes.

He said India expressed a broader global sentiment by advocating diplomatic engagement as the means to address conflicts and restore peace. Jaishankar's remarks come amid continuing international tensions and concerns over the wider consequences of armed conflicts. He reiterated the need for countries to recognise shared security challenges and work collectively to address threats to peace.

The minister's address highlighted the importance of rejecting terrorism as a political instrument while strengthening international cooperation and diplomatic efforts to prevent conflicts and promote stability.