Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi
New Delhi, Sep 26: External Affairs Minister (EAM) Dr S Jaishankar on Thursday underscored that terrorism continues to be a “persistent threat” to global development and peace, urging the international community to adopt a zero-tolerance approach towards terror activities.
Addressing the G20 Foreign Ministers’ meeting, Jaishankar highlighted that countries combating terrorism are, in fact, serving the entire international community. Without directly naming Pakistan, he made a veiled reference to India’s Operation Sindoor carried out earlier this year against terrorist enclaves across the border.
“Given the extensive networking among terrorists, those who act against them on any front actually render a larger service to the international community as a whole,” Jaishankar said.
He warned that terrorism remains a perennial disruptor of peace and a significant obstacle to development. “It is imperative that the world display neither tolerance nor accommodation to terrorist activities,” he asserted.
The EAM also took a swipe at the prevailing “double standards” in the application of global sanctions, criticising the selective approach that has often hurt economically fragile nations. While he refrained from naming the United States, Jaishankar pointed out that sanctions imposed over the Ukraine conflict had disrupted supplies and logistics, driving up costs of essentials such as energy and fertilisers.
“By threatening development, we cannot facilitate peace. Making energy and other essentials more uncertain in an economically fragile situation helps no one,” he said, emphasising that sanctions should not end up punishing the vulnerable.
Highlighting the need for pragmatic diplomacy, Jaishankar noted that in every conflict situation there are countries capable of engaging with both sides. “Such nations can be utilised by the international community to achieve and sustain peace,” he suggested.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been in touch with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, reiterating India’s stand that “this is not the time for war” and calling for dialogue and peaceful settlement of disputes.
Jaishankar further stressed that the simultaneous deterioration of peace and development has been particularly damaging to the Global South, citing the rise in energy, food, and fertiliser prices due to ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza.
Calling for reforms in multilateral institutions, especially the UN, he said the existing global order had shown its limitations in dealing with challenges such as terrorism and economic pressures.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, addressing the session, urged world leaders to “rebuild trust in international cooperation” and said, “Let us work together to reaffirm peace as the surest path to sustainable economic development, and multilateralism as the anchor of a safer, fairer future for all.”
Jaishankar’s remarks, coupled with his subtle reference to Operation Sindoor, signalled India’s strong stance against terrorism and its commitment to bridging divides for lasting global peace.