‘Not an instrument of statecraft ’: Jaishankar slams global double standards using terror as policy days after US defends Pak ties

External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar on Sunday described terrorism as a “deadly threat to peace”, calling for stronger international resolve to combat it in all its forms and manifestations.

He said using terrorism as an instrument of statecraft was unacceptable and could never be justified.

Addressing the Chinmaya Amrit Mahotsav Global Sammelan on “Non-Dualism for World Understanding” at Bharat Mandapam on the occasion of United Nations Day, Jaishankar said terrorism persisted because some states had failed to demonstrate zero tolerance towards the threat.

“Terrorism is another deadly threat to peace. Its usage as an instrument of statecraft is simply unacceptable. It can never be justified. It can never be rationalised. Yet, it continues because not all states really display zero tolerance,” he said.

“Despite history holding so many lessons, some still allow political calculations to take precedence. The world must therefore develop sharper awareness about this common threat, and it must come together with stronger resolve and counter-terrorism in all its forms and manifestations,” he added.

Rubio defends US ties with Pakistan

EAM S. Jaishankar’s remarks comes days after US Secretary of State Marco Rubio defended Washington’s ties with Islamabad during his India visit.

In an interview with India Today, the US Secretary of State said that Washington’s ties with Pakistan would not come at the cost of its partnership with New Delhi, noting that both countries shared concerns over terrorism.

He added that the engagement could give Washington greater leverage over Islamabad’s decisions across a range of issues.

He asserted that the United States led the world in counter-terrorism efforts.

“I think it allows us to have, hopefully, more influence over the decisions they make on a variety of topics,” he said, adding that “no country in the world does more to go after terrorism than the United States”.

“In no way does the relationship with Pakistan come at the expense of our relationship with India,” Rubio said during the interview at Mumbai’s Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, one of the sites targeted in the 26/11 terror attacks in 2008.

Jaishankar warns against global economic inequality

The External Affairs Minister also highlighted the connection between peace, economic progress and shared prosperity, warning that uneven development in an interconnected world could fuel persistent instability.

“Progress and prosperity are the flip side of conflict and violence, and they too are equally indivisible. The world cannot advance half prosperous and half denied in an era of intricate supply chains, of globalised markets, and of common resources. This is simply a prescription for continuous instability,” he said.

Jaishankar’s remarks came a day after India condemned a deadly attack on a church in Karak, Jordan, on Friday, October 23, which claimed seven lives and left 34 others injured.

Jaishankar calls for reforms in United Nations

During his address, Jaishankar also called for reforms in the United Nations, arguing that the organisation’s shortcomings and limitations needed to be acknowledged and addressed. He said the case for reformed multilateralism was growing stronger by the day.

“Large parts of the world cannot be left out from decision-making. The UN must show leadership, not be a spectator to global crises,” he said.

Calling for renewed commitment to collective action, the minister urged the international community to continue working towards long-awaited changes in the global multilateral system.

“On this occasion, even as we recognise the need for such long-awaited changes, let us renew our commitment to work together. We are common, we are shared, we are united,” he said.

United Nations Day is observed on October 24 each year to mark the anniversary of the UN Charter’s entry into force in 1945. The United Nations officially came into being after the Charter was ratified by a majority of its signatories, including the five permanent members of the Security Council.

(with agencies input)