Usage of terrorism as instrument of statecraft simply unacceptable: Jaishankar

The statement reinforces India's long-standing diplomatic position on state-sponsored terrorism. India has consistently advocated for a global consensus against countries that harbor and support terrorist groups as a means to achieve foreign policy objectives. This is often framed within the context of cross-border terrorism emanating from Pakistan. The minister's call for 'zero tolerance' aligns with India's push for the adoption of the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT) at the United Nations, a treaty proposed by India in 1996 that aims to provide a universal definition of terrorism and criminalize all forms of it. UPSC may ask about the challenges in defining terrorism globally and the progress or hurdles regarding the CCIT.

From an internal security perspective, the use of terrorism as 'statecraft' poses a direct threat to India's sovereignty and stability. Pakistan's strategy of 'bleeding India with a thousand cuts' relies on supporting proxy groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed. India's response has evolved from diplomatic isolation to more assertive measures, such as the surgical strikes in 2016 and the Balakot airstrikes in 2019, signifying a shift in its threshold for retaliation. Furthermore, India utilizes international forums like the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) to exert economic pressure on state sponsors of terrorism by pushing for them to be placed on 'grey' or 'black' lists. Students should understand the multifaceted approach—diplomatic, economic, and military—required to counter state-sponsored terrorism.

The minister's reference to the 'indivisibility of peace' highlights the interconnected nature of global conflicts. The ongoing wars in Ukraine and West Asia, while geographically distant, have far-reaching implications for global supply chains, energy security, and inflationary pressures, directly impacting India's economy. India's stance that 'dialogue and diplomacy is the only solution' reflects its philosophy of strategic autonomy, where it refuses to take sides in great power conflicts but rather advocates for peaceful resolution based on the UN Charter. This approach allows India to maintain relations with all parties involved (e.g., both Russia and Western nations) while advocating for its national interests. Questions could focus on India's evolving role as a potential mediator or 'Vishwa Mitra' (friend of the world) in global conflicts.