"Get it right yourself. If you don't have the clarity of thought, the conviction to fight back against terrorism, don't think somebody else is going to do that job for you," External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday delivered a sharp reply to claims that Pakistan’s military establishment had successfully won over the Trump administration following the recent border clash.
The stern reply from the minister came during NDTV World Summit 2026, when the host asked about the perception that Washington has not fully understood India's concerns on cross-border terror, and whether this would impact India-US ties.
India's response to terrorism should not depend on Washington: Jaishankar
Jaishankar argued that India's response to terrorism should not depend on Washington’s understanding or support, pointing to the lack of action after the 26/11 Mumbai attacks in 2008. He stressed that India acted on its own conviction and urged countries to develop the clarity and resolve to fight terrorism themselves rather than rely on others to do so.
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"It's not all about Washington understanding or not understanding. If Washington understood it so well, why didn't we act in 2008, when 26/11 happened? Jaishankar stressed adding the incumbent government acted, not due to Washington’s understanding of the guage of the loss that India had occured after Pakistan-sponsored terrorists. He underscored no one will act instead of the one who faced the terror attack.
India did not act after 26/11 attack
Notably, the minister appeared to criticise the Congress-led UPA government’s response to the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks. The Manmohan Singh-led government faced criticism over its handling of the attacks, which killed 166 people and injured hundreds.
Jaishankar has stressed that India’s fight against terrorism cannot depend on other countries recognising New Delhi’s concerns, asserting that a nation must have the resolve to respond on its own. Citing the Balakot airstrikes and Operation Sindoor, he said decisive action is what compels the international community to take notice.
Does India want positive relations with Pakistan?
When asked whether New Delhi willing to maintain positive relations with Pakistan, Jaishankar added that although India remains open to maintaining good relations with Islamabad, it will not compromise on the issue of cross-border terrorism.
In fact, the minister who is well-known for his ferrious reply at the global platform, said the wish was always there to maintain good relations with Pakistan, but the reality was Islamabad's use of terrorism as state policy.
"Should we ignore terrorism? This is why I keep going back to 26/11. The world watched what we did after the attack, and because we did nothing, the world drew its lessons. Of course we want good relations with Pakistan, we want that with all our neighbours, but will I overlook terror for that? I will not. The government is very clear," Jaishankar told NDTV.
On Tuesday, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who recently visited Mumbai, addressed the perception that the Trump administration was leaning towards Islamabad following a series of incidents and statements. Speaking to News18, Rubio said that while engaging with Pakistan was part of his responsibilities as a senior US diplomat, it would not come at the expense of Washington’s relationship with India.
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