India Won’t Tolerate Terrorism From Neighbours: Jaishankar
- By Thetripurapost Desk, New Delhi
- Jan 02, 2026
- 559
External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar on Friday delivered a forceful assertion of India’s sovereign right to defend itself against terrorism, stating that while countries may be forced to live with difficult neighbours, India will not tolerate sustained acts of terror directed at its people.
Addressing an event at IIT Madras, Jaishankar said, “Neighbours can be bad—unfortunately, we know that well. If a country deliberately, consistently, and without remorse continues terrorism, then we have every right to protect our citizens from it.” Emphasising India’s autonomy in national security matters, he added, “How we exercise that right is for us to decide. No one can dictate what we should or should not do. We will do whatever it takes to protect ourselves.”
On Bangladesh and Regional Neighbourhood
Referring to recent unrest in Bangladesh, the External Affairs Minister noted that he had visited Dhaka just two days earlier to represent India at the funeral of former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia. Highlighting India’s diverse regional relationships, Jaishankar remarked, “We have many kinds of neighbours. If a neighbour is friendly—or at least not harmful—there is no problem. Wherever there is goodwill, India invests, India assists, and India shares.”
Three Core Themes of India’s Foreign Policy
Outlining the broader philosophical foundations of India’s diplomacy, Jaishankar highlighted three key pillars:
First, India is among the world’s oldest civilisations to exist today as a modern nation-state. With a deep awareness of its history and heritage—something few countries possess—India consciously embraced democracy, transforming it into a global political ideal. He said India bears a responsibility to project its ideas, culture, and civilisational values to the world.
Second, strategic partnerships with Western nations are both necessary and mutually beneficial. India’s worldview, rooted in “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam”—the belief that the world is one family—has never viewed the international system as inherently hostile. Instead, India’s foreign policy seeks to maximise influence despite limited resources by leveraging its strengths, competitiveness, and engagement with global institutions.
Third, Jaishankar underscored the emotional and strategic impact of India’s vaccine diplomacy during the COVID-19 pandemic. He recalled that in several countries, people were moved to tears upon receiving India’s first vaccine consignments. While many developed nations stockpiled excess doses, India’s outreach became a lifeline for poorer and smaller countries. As one of the world’s most efficient vaccine producers, India demonstrated that global cooperation remains essential, especially since international supply chains extend beyond national borders.
Arunachal Pradesh Is an Integral Part of India
The External Affairs Minister also firmly reiterated India’s position on Arunachal Pradesh, stating unequivocally that the state “is, and will always remain, an integral part of India.” Responding to the reported harassment of a woman from Arunachal Pradesh by Chinese immigration officials at Shanghai airport, Jaishankar said India has formally protested the incident.
“We have made it clear that such actions will not change realities on the ground,” he said, adding that intimidation or coercive tactics would not alter India’s territorial position.