India an 'expert in IT', while Pakistan is 'expert in International Terrorism': Jaishankar

New Delhi: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Saturday (October 1, 2022) attacked Pakistan and said that no other country "practices terrorism" the way India's neighbour does. Speaking on the "Rising India and the World: Foreign Policy in Modi Era" in Gujarat's Vadodra, he said while India is considered "expert in IT" (Information Technology), the neighbouring country is known as an "expert in International Terrorism". The minister added that the Narendra Modi government's diplomacy made other countries take the issue of terrorism seriously. 

"No other country practices terrorism in the manner in which Pakistan has done. You show me anywhere in the world what Pakistan has done for so many years against India. After the 26/11 Mumbai attack, it is important for us to be clear to ourselves that this kind of behaviour and action is unacceptable and there will be consequences," Jaishankar said during interaction with the audience after the talk. 

Under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi, India successfully made other countries realize that terrorism can harm them too in the future if not contained now, he added.

"We are fairly successful in taking along the world in this fight against terrorism. Earlier, other countries used to ignore this issue thinking it would not affect them because it was happening somewhere else. Today, there is a pressure on those who support terrorism. This is an example of our diplomacy," Jaishankar said. 

#WATCH | We've a neighbour, like we're expert in IT (information technology) they're expert in 'international terrorists'. It's going on for years...but we could explain to world that terrorism is terrorism, today it's being done against us, tomorrow it will be against you...:EAM pic.twitter.com/zxuibuadjG — ANI (@ANI) October 1, 2022

He also stated that terrorist activities in the North East have declined because of India's strategic pact with Bangladesh. 

"Thanks to that land border agreement with Bangladesh, militants failed to get any shelter there. This stopped them from carrying out their operations in the North East," he stated. 

We've to do what is best for our nation: Jaishankar recalls PM Modi's advice to not yield under pressure over oil purchases

Jaishankar also said that Prime Minister Modi did not yield to the pressure amid the soaring oil prices due to the Russia-Ukraine war and advised that India must do what is best for the nation.

"Due to the Russia-Ukraine conflict, petrol prices doubled. We had pressure from where to buy the oil but PM Modi and government were of the view that we`ve to do what is best for our nation and if pressure comes then we should face it," Jaishankar said.

#WATCH | Due to the Russia-Ukraine conflict petrol prices doubled. We had pressure from where to buy the oil but PM Modi & govt were of the view that we've to do what is best for our nation & if pressure comes then we should face it...: EAM Dr S Jaishankar, in Gujarat's Vadodara pic.twitter.com/Oe0lKn2OfO — ANI (@ANI) October 1, 2022

To a question about how the Modi-led government will realise Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel's dream of "undivided India", Jaishankar said Partition was a real tragedy and it created problems like terrorism. 

"The best way of realising the dream of Sardar Patel is for India to be strong, successful and confident, and other people to understand that they have to come to terms with this India and stop policies which are not in their interest and which are harmful to the entire region," said the minister. 

सुरक्षित भारत, विकसित भारत और समृद्ध भारत के हमारे लक्ष्य प्राप्ति में विदेश नीति और कूटनीति की महत्वपूर्ण भूमिका है।

प्रधानमंत्री जी के vision को आगे ले जाने के लिए हमें ऐसे ही मज़बूत और डबल इंजन की सरकार में विश्वास बनाए रखने की ज़रूरत है।

— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) October 1, 2022

"...And I think if there is one leader who is realising the dreams, who has the thought process of Sardar Patel, who is realising the vision of Sardar Patel, who has that boldness, commitment and habits, you know who that is," he said, apparently referring to PM Narendra Modi.

(With agency inputs)