External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has strongly stated that the use of terrorism as an “instrument of statecraft” is unequivocally unacceptable and cannot be justified or rationalised under any circumstances. He highlighted that the continued prevalence of this menace is due to a lack of universal zero tolerance among states, with some nations allowing political considerations to override the imperative of combating it.
Information was available with The Chenab Times that the minister made these remarks during an event in New Delhi, underscoring the global threat posed by terrorism. Despite historical lessons, Jaishankar noted that political calculations continue to influence the approach of some states towards terrorism, preventing a united front against it.
Addressing the 75th anniversary event of Chinmaya Mission, the minister emphasised the paramount importance of peace in the face of ongoing global conflicts. He cautioned that conflicts, wherever they occur, have the potential to threaten peace everywhere, citing the major ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and West Asia as examples that impact societies, economies, and individuals far removed from the immediate theatre of conflict.
Jaishankar reiterated India’s stance that dialogue and diplomacy are the sole viable solutions to such global crises. India, he stated, is actively engaged in peace-building efforts and remains open to collaborating with international partners to achieve this objective. He stressed that the world cannot afford to be a passive observer to these escalating challenges.
The minister further elaborated on terrorism as a pervasive threat to global peace. He asserted that its application as a tool of state policy is fundamentally indefensible. The persistence of terrorism, he explained, stems from the fact that not all nations exhibit a complete intolerance towards it, with some continuing to prioritise political expediency over decisive action.
In his address, Jaishankar called for heightened global awareness of this shared threat and urged for a collective resolve to counter terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. He was joined at the event by the UN Resident Coordinator in India, Stefan Priesner, among other dignitaries.
The External Affairs Minister also drew a parallel between progress and prosperity and the absence of conflict and violence, stating that these are intrinsically linked. He warned that a world divided into prosperous and deprived halves, especially in an era of complex supply chains and globalised markets, is a recipe for persistent instability.
Addressing the specific challenges faced by the Global South, Jaishankar identified a ‘4F’ crisis encompassing finance, fuel, food, and fertiliser. He urged the Global North to recognise its shared stake in resolving these issues and advocated for a de-risking of the international economy and the provision of diversified options for nations. He cautioned that market distortions through restrictive practices only exacerbate suffering, making a genuine dialogue on these matters long overdue.
Highlighting the role of the United Nations, Jaishankar stressed that the organisation must demonstrate leadership rather than acting as a mere spectator to global crises. He affirmed that the need for reformed multilateralism is becoming increasingly evident, asserting that significant portions of the world cannot be excluded from crucial decision-making processes.
The minister also touched upon the dichotomy between those advocating for pure competitiveness and those championing cooperation, noting that such differing perspectives translate into how nations interact on the global stage. On the transformative potential of evolving technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), Jaishankar remarked that humanity stands at a critical juncture. He described AI as a force of immense change but cautioned that its development and deployment should not be concentrated in the hands of a select few, a move that would contradict the global trends towards freedom and democratisation observed over the past eight decades.
India, he concluded, strongly advocates for a responsible, inclusive, and human-centric approach to AI, recognising its universal relevance and the necessity of diverse perspectives in its development. He underscored India’s commitment to development cooperation and humanitarian assistance, stating that for India, the principle of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” (the world is one family) is a lived practice, not merely a preached ideal.
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The Chenab Times News Desk
