The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has said that the international community now clearly understands that India was the victim of the recent terror attack in Pahalgam and that the source of terrorism lies in Pakistan. On Tuesday, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, “There is widespread understanding in the world that Indian tourists were the victims of terrorism at Pahalgam and that the epicentre of terrorism is across the border in Pakistan.”

He added that many world leaders have shown support for India’s right to defend its people. “A number of foreign leaders, in their conversations with Indian counterparts, recognised India’s right to defend itself and protect its people,” Jaiswal said.

He also reminded the media of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) press statement from April 25. “I also draw your attention to the UN Security Council press statement of 25th April, which states that ‘there is a need to uphold perpetrators, organisers, financiers and sponsors of this reprehensible act of terrorism accountable and bring them to justice.’ They further stressed that those responsible for these killings should be held accountable,” he said.

Jaiswal made it clear that this is not just India’s view but a global opinion now. His statement also came in response to questions about India and Pakistan being viewed together as part of a "hyphenation" approach in global diplomacy. Jaiswal's strong message was that India has the right to protect its people, and the world acknowledges this right.

Indus water treaty suspended, Pakistan blamed for promoting terror

Randhir Jaiswal also spoke about the suspension of the Indus Water Treaty (IWT) between India and Pakistan. He said the treaty, which was signed based on goodwill and friendship, no longer holds value because Pakistan has not respected these principles.

“After the CCS (Cabinet Committee on Security) decision, the Indus Water Treaty has been put in abeyance. I would also like to take you back a little. The IWT was concluded in the spirit of goodwill and friendship as specified in the preamble of the treaty. However, Pakistan has held these principles in abeyance by its promotion of cross-border terrorism for several decades now. Now, as per the CCS decision, India will keep the treaty in abeyance until Pakistan credibly and irrevocably abjures its support for cross-border terrorism,” Jaiswal explained.

He also pointed out how new challenges such as climate change and technology have changed the situation on the ground. “Please note that climate change, demographic shifts and technological changes have created new realities on the ground as well,” he said.

Jaiswal also responded to a statement made by Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, who claimed that Pakistan had launched strikes in “self-defence” after India carried out strikes under ‘Operation Sindoor’ on May 7.

Jaiswal strongly rejected this. “We have seen the statement made by the Pakistani side. That a nation which has nurtured terrorism on an industrial scale should think that it can escape the consequences is fooling itself. The terrorist infrastructure sites that India destroyed were responsible not only for the deaths of Indians but also of many other innocents around the world. There is now a new normal. The sooner Pakistan gets used to it, the better,” he said.

Earlier, Ishaq Dar had said in an interview that India’s actions were a “wishful attempt to establish its hegemony” and that Pakistan’s military strength would defeat India “both in the air and on the ground”.

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