External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Sunday asserted that India has emerged as a leader in fighting terrorism under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Further, amid tense global scenarios and ongoing Iran-Israel and Ukraine-Russia war, he said that India is ready to provide all possible support in the times to come.
Addressing a press conference in Mumbai, Jaishankar said that as far as terrorism is concerned, India has adopted a zero tolerance policy.
“I am in Mumbai which has become a counter terrorism centre for the country and for the world especially after the 26/11 terror attacks. The UNSC’s Counter Terrorism Council summit recently held in Mumbai and in the same hotel which was attacked by the terrorists. We have to be very clear. We say zero tolerance for terrorism and we should not have a repeat about what happened in Mumbai. It cannot be day time doing business and nighttime terrorism… this will not be accepted. We will expose terrorism and then we will act,’’ he said.
Jaishankar said that after the disengagement agreement between India and China to end the standoff between armies of two countries, India will focus on de-escalation.
“India and China on October 21 reached a disengagement agreement whereby soldiers belonging to both the countries will resume patrolling as they did before the 2020 border face-off. The agreement is anticipated to ease patrolling in the Depsang and Demchok areas where patrolling will be restored. However, for implementation of this agreement, it will need some time.”
He further said, the next level is de-escalation and the third larger issue is how do you manage the border and how do you negotiate the boundary settlement,” he added.
As far as Kashmir is concerned, he said, “We have been very clear that there is cross border terrorism… we have felt that there are many ways to deal with the issue. When Assembly elections were held, voter’s turnout was more than 60 per cent and it was a big statement considering the people’s response. Who wins is a secondary part. India won that day, that many people put their faith on the government’s move to scrap article 370 and remove the hold of separatist policy.”
The minister said that he went to Pakistan recently with a clear message that India would not compromise on its zero tolerance policy.
On the issue of entry of illegal migrants from Bangladesh and Myanmar, Jaishankar said that the government’s focus is to tighten the border security.
Jaishankar made a strong pitch for a double engine government to achieve the Viksit Bharat goal.
“For Viksit Bharat, Viksit Maharashtra is necessary. Maharashtra is the most industrialised with a long history. There are factories, technology, research, quality of people, environment but there are new possibilities. With the implementation of Centre’s India Middle East Economic Corridor initiative, Maharashtra will benefit a lot with investors investing in ports, logistics, roads and railways. Investors are interested to invest in the state,’’ he added.
Jaishankar however, also called for proper alignment between the Centre and the states to implement slew of development decisions and attract investments.
“Investors are coming to India and Maharashtra as they look at various factors including governance, alignment between the Centre and the states, smooth implementation of policies on the ground,” he noted.
Only BJP can stop 'state-sponsored' infiltration, crime against women in Bengal: HM Amit Shah
Union Home Minister Amit Shah said on Sunday that the "state-sponsored" infiltration and crime against women in West Bengal will be stopped only if the BJP comes to power in the state in the 2026 Assembly elections.
Fresh bomb threats to hotels in Tirupati, temple also threatened
Two hotels and a temple in Andhra Pradesh's Tirupati received fresh bomb threats in the name of terrorist groups on Sunday but all of them turned out to be a hoax, police said.
‘Dream came true’: Jammu sarangi legend thrilled to be named by PM Modi
It is a special day for elderly sarangi player Gauri Nath as Prime Minster Narendra Modi made a mention of his musical legacy on Sunday’s 115th episode of 'Mann Ki Baat'.
PM Modi gifts exquisite artworks from Jharkhand, Maha to world leaders at BRICS Summit
In the recently concluded BRICS Summit in Kazan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi gifted exquisite artworks from Jharkhand and Maharashtra to state heads of Russia, Iran and Uzbekistan.
PM Modi to inaugurate India's first private military aircraft plant in Gujarat tomorrow
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, along with his Spanish counterpart Pedro Sanchez, will inaugurate the Tata Advanced Systems Ltd's (TASL) Tata Aircraft Complex, which will produce the C-295 military tactical transport aircraft, in Gujarat's Vadodara on Monday.
Peace will be restored in Bengal only after illegal infiltration stops: HM Shah
“Bring change in West Bengal in 2026 and BJP will stop illegal infiltration in the state totally,” the Union Home Minister said at the inauguration of the new passenger terminal building and Maitri Dwar at Land Port at Petrapole in North 24 Paragans district.
PM Modi urges public to join Oct 29 'Run for Unity', lauds commitment to Fit India movement
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday praised India's dedication to the Fit India movement, underscoring how the nation's commitment to fitness remains steadfast, regardless of the season.
RG Kar tragedy: Junior doctors plan to extend protests to rural Bengal
West Bengal Junior Doctors’ Front (WBJDF), the umbrella body of the junior doctors protesting in the aftermath of the rape and murder of a fellow medico here, is planning to expand their base beyond urban bastions in the state to rural Bengal.