India’s External Affairs Minister Accuses Pakistan Military of Deep Involvement in Terrorism

 Netherlands/India , May 23, 2025 — India’s External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar issued a strong condemnation of Pakistan’s military establishment during an interview with the Dutch newspaper De Volkskrant, asserting that both the Pakistani state and its armed forces are deeply complicit in cross-border terrorism.

In a pointed assessment, Jaishankar stated that Pakistan harbours internationally designated terrorists with impunity. “The most notorious terrorists on the United Nations sanctions list are all in Pakistan. They operate in major cities, in broad daylight. Their addresses are known. Their activities are known. Their mutual contacts are known,” he said, rejecting any claims of ignorance by the Pakistani government regarding such actors.

The remarks follow heightened tensions between the two nations in the wake of a deadly terrorist attack on April 22 in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, where militants affiliated with the Lashkar-e-Taiba group killed 26 Indian tourists. In response, India launched targeted airstrikes under Operation Sindoor on May 7, destroying identified terrorist infrastructure across the border. The strikes triggered a brief but intense period of hostilities that concluded with a ceasefire on May 10.

Speaking on the persistent threat of terrorism from Pakistan, Jaishankar was unequivocal: “Let’s not pretend that Pakistan is not involved. The state is involved. The army is up to its neck in it.” He warned of serious consequences should such activities continue, adding that India views terrorism and the Kashmir issue as entirely separate concerns.

India has consistently maintained its position on the status of Jammu and Kashmir, and Jaishankar reinforced this stance during the interview. “Kashmir is part of India. No country negotiates a part of its own territory,” he said firmly.

Responding to a question about his prior characterization of Pakistan as the “epicentre of terrorism,” Jaishankar clarified, “I am not suggesting that, I am stating that.” Drawing an analogy, he asked, “Suppose there were large military centres in the middle of a city like Amsterdam, where tens of thousands of people gathered for military training — would you say that your government knows nothing about it? Of course not.”

The minister’s remarks reflect New Delhi’s hardened diplomatic posture in the face of continued security threats, and underscore its demand for tangible, verifiable action against terrorist networks operating from Pakistani soil.