India’s Urgent Call: UN Must Ensure Terror Accountability, Says Jaishankar in Lok Sabha

New Delhi – In a powerful and unambiguous address to the Lok Sabha, External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar underscored India’s firm position on international terrorism, asserting that the United Nations must be more proactive in holding terror sponsors accountable. Speaking during a special discussion on ‘Operation Sindoor’ and the recent Pahalgam terror attack, Jaishankar articulated India’s evolved counter-terrorism strategy, marking a “new normal” in its approach to cross-border threats.

The Urgent Need for Terror Accountability

EAM Jaishankar’s statement resonated with an urgent appeal for global unity against the scourge of terrorism. He highlighted India’s persistent diplomatic efforts, particularly at the UN Security Council, to ensure that those who orchestrate, finance, and sponsor terror acts face justice. The core of his message was a clear call for enhanced terror accountability from the international community.

• Focus on Perpetrators: Jaishankar emphasized the critical need to hold accountable not just the perpetrators of terror attacks, but also their organizers, financiers, and sponsors.
• UNSC Endorsement: He proudly pointed to the UN Security Council’s statement of April 25, which strongly condemned the Pahalgam terror attack and explicitly called for terror accountability, bringing those responsible to justice. This was a significant diplomatic achievement, especially considering Pakistan’s presence on the Security Council at the time.

“Operation Sindoor” and India’s “New Normal” Against Terror

The Minister elaborated on “Operation Sindoor,” India’s decisive military response following the Pahalgam attack, describing it as a pivotal moment that established a “new normal” in combating cross-border terrorism. This strategic shift is anchored in a comprehensive five-point approach:

• Terrorists Not Proxies: Terrorists will no longer be treated as mere proxies in geopolitical games.
• Appropriate Response: Cross-border terrorism will invariably elicit an appropriate and strong response from India.
• No Talks with Terror: The policy of “terror and talks cannot coexist” stands firm; any dialogue will strictly be on the issue of terrorism itself.
• No Nuclear Blackmail: India will not yield to any form of nuclear blackmail.
• No Coexistence of Terror and Good Neighborliness: It is impossible for terror and good neighborly relations to exist simultaneously; “blood and water cannot flow together.”

Diplomatic Triumphs and Global Consensus on Terror Accountability

Jaishankar meticulously detailed how India’s robust diplomatic offensive following the Pahalgam attack garnered widespread international support. He illustrated this by citing condemnations from key international groupings and nations, reinforcing the global consensus on terror accountability.

• Quad and BRICS Condemnation: Both the Quad (Quadrilateral Security Dialogue) and BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) unequivocally condemned the Pahalgam attack, affirming their commitment to combating terrorism, including cross-border terrorism.
• TRF Designation: Through sustained diplomatic pressure, the US government designated The Resistance Front (TRF), a Lashkar-e-Taiba proxy, as a global terrorist organization.
• International Recognition: Overwhelmingly, the world recognized terrorism as unacceptable and supported India’s right to self-defense. Only three out of 190 UN member states opposed India’s actions post-Pahalgam, showcasing broad international validation for India’s firm stance on terror accountability.

Addressing Domestic Concerns and Future Path

The EAM also addressed domestic criticisms, emphasizing the importance of national unity in confronting terrorism. He urged all political factions to speak with one voice against terrorism, asserting that India can only achieve “zero tolerance” against terrorism if it presents a united front.

Jaishankar’s address serves as a powerful reminder of India’s unwavering commitment to stamping out terrorism and holding its sponsors accountable. The nation’s diplomatic and military actions, encapsulated in the “new normal” policy, signal a determined approach to ensure peace and security, not just within its borders but globally, through relentless pursuit of terror accountability.