NEW DELHI: External affairs minister S Jaishankar , during his visit to Berlin on Friday, strongly condemned the recent Pahalgam terror attack and said that India has tolerance for terrorism and New Delhi will "never give in to nuclear blackmail " referring to crossborder terrorism backed by Pakistan.
He also added that all issues with Pakistan will be handled bilaterally, without any third-party involvement.
Jaishankar is in Berlin on the final leg of his three-nation tour to the Netherlands, Denmark, and Germany. He held meetings with key German leaders, including foreign minister Johann Wadephul and Chancellor Friedrich Merz, focusing on strengthening the India-Germany partnership.
At a joint press conference with Wadephul, Jaishankar said: "I came to Berlin in the immediate aftermath of India responding to the Pahalgam terror attack. Let me share with you what I conveyed to Mr Wadephul in that context. India has zero-tolerance for terrorism. India will never give in to nuclear blackmail."
He added: "India will deal with Pakistan purely bilaterally. There should be no confusion in any quarter in that regard."
He also reflected on brutality of terror attack in J&K's Pahalgam and India's strong response afterwards, at German Council, saying, "This was a terrorist attack, which is part of a pattern which has targeted not only J&K but other parts of India as well...this was meant to create a fear psychosis and destroy the tourism economy of the Kashmir...and sow religious discord...what we were responding to were terrorism...and when we responded there were a lot of international understanding...we targeted terrorist headquarters and terror sites. Our campaign is against terrorism, and in this case, terrorists happen to be located in the country next door because that country, for many years, has used terrorism as a tool."
Following their talks, the German foreign minister condemned the terrorist attack and expressed support for India’s right to defend itself. He also supported resolving India-Pakistan issues directly, without external involvement.
After the meeting, Jaishankar posted on X: "Excellent meeting today with FM Johann Wadephul in Berlin. Deeply appreciate Germany's understanding of India's right to defend itself against terrorism."
He also said that both sides discussed deepening the Strategic Partnership and exploring new areas of cooperation, including regional and global issues.
His remarks came after India launched Operation Sindoor in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people. On May 7, India carried out precision strikes and destroyed nine terror camps in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Pakistan attempted to retaliate between May 8 and 10 by targeting Indian military bases, but met India's strong air defence system response.
The confrontations ended with a ceasefire on May 10.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has declared a "new normal." saying that any future act of crossborder terrorism will be treated as an "act of war."
Jaishankar and German officials also celebrated 25 years of the India-Germany Strategic Partnership. He noted that Germany is India’s largest economic partner in the European Union, and both countries have expanded cooperation across various sectors in recent years.
He also praised Germany’s role in supporting a free trade agreement between India and the European Union. Both sides are working to finalise the deal by the end of this year, which could significantly boost business ties.
In addition to his meetings with political leaders, Jaishankar met Germany’s minister of economy and energy, Katherina Reiche, to discuss enhancing industry cooperation, skilled talent exchange, and supply chain resilience.
He also had talks with Gunter Sautter, foreign and security policy advisor to Chancellor Merz, and interacted with members of the German Parliament, thanking them for their support in growing India-Germany relations.
He also added that all issues with Pakistan will be handled bilaterally, without any third-party involvement.
Jaishankar is in Berlin on the final leg of his three-nation tour to the Netherlands, Denmark, and Germany. He held meetings with key German leaders, including foreign minister Johann Wadephul and Chancellor Friedrich Merz, focusing on strengthening the India-Germany partnership.
At a joint press conference with Wadephul, Jaishankar said: "I came to Berlin in the immediate aftermath of India responding to the Pahalgam terror attack. Let me share with you what I conveyed to Mr Wadephul in that context. India has zero-tolerance for terrorism. India will never give in to nuclear blackmail."
He added: "India will deal with Pakistan purely bilaterally. There should be no confusion in any quarter in that regard."
He also reflected on brutality of terror attack in J&K's Pahalgam and India's strong response afterwards, at German Council, saying, "This was a terrorist attack, which is part of a pattern which has targeted not only J&K but other parts of India as well...this was meant to create a fear psychosis and destroy the tourism economy of the Kashmir...and sow religious discord...what we were responding to were terrorism...and when we responded there were a lot of international understanding...we targeted terrorist headquarters and terror sites. Our campaign is against terrorism, and in this case, terrorists happen to be located in the country next door because that country, for many years, has used terrorism as a tool."
Following their talks, the German foreign minister condemned the terrorist attack and expressed support for India’s right to defend itself. He also supported resolving India-Pakistan issues directly, without external involvement.
After the meeting, Jaishankar posted on X: "Excellent meeting today with FM Johann Wadephul in Berlin. Deeply appreciate Germany's understanding of India's right to defend itself against terrorism."
Excellent meeting today with FM @JoWadephul in Berlin.
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) May 23, 2025
Deeply appreciate Germany’s understanding of India’s right to defend itself against terrorism.
Discussed making our Strategic Partnership stronger, deeper and closer. Identified areas of further promise and potential.… pic.twitter.com/teX3h6DDWb
He also said that both sides discussed deepening the Strategic Partnership and exploring new areas of cooperation, including regional and global issues.
His remarks came after India launched Operation Sindoor in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people. On May 7, India carried out precision strikes and destroyed nine terror camps in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Pakistan attempted to retaliate between May 8 and 10 by targeting Indian military bases, but met India's strong air defence system response.
The confrontations ended with a ceasefire on May 10.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has declared a "new normal." saying that any future act of crossborder terrorism will be treated as an "act of war."
Jaishankar and German officials also celebrated 25 years of the India-Germany Strategic Partnership. He noted that Germany is India’s largest economic partner in the European Union, and both countries have expanded cooperation across various sectors in recent years.
He also praised Germany’s role in supporting a free trade agreement between India and the European Union. Both sides are working to finalise the deal by the end of this year, which could significantly boost business ties.
In addition to his meetings with political leaders, Jaishankar met Germany’s minister of economy and energy, Katherina Reiche, to discuss enhancing industry cooperation, skilled talent exchange, and supply chain resilience.
He also had talks with Gunter Sautter, foreign and security policy advisor to Chancellor Merz, and interacted with members of the German Parliament, thanking them for their support in growing India-Germany relations.
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