India’s External Affairs Minister, S Jaishankar, on Friday delivered a strong message regarding Pakistan, describing it as a “troubled neighbour” while emphasizing India’s sovereign right to protect its citizens against terrorism.
Addressing students at the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras, Jaishankar underscored that India alone determines how to respond to threats against its people. His remarks appeared to reference Operation Sindoor, India’s cross-border counter-terrorism response last year following a deadly attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir.
The Pahalgam attack, carried out in April by The Resistance Front, a proxy of Pakistan-based terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), claimed the lives of 26 civilians. In response, India launched Operation Sindoor, targeting terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), neutralizing over 100 militants involved in the plot.
“You can have troubled neighbours, and unfortunately, we do,” Jaishankar said. “When a country persistently engages in terrorism against us, India has the full right to defend its people. How we exercise that right is entirely our prerogative.”
He added that no external entity can dictate India’s defensive measures. “Nobody can tell us what we should or should not do. We will act decisively to protect our citizens,” the minister asserted.
On the Indus Waters Treaty
Jaishankar also touched upon the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) of 1960 with Pakistan, which was temporarily suspended following the Pahalgam attack. He highlighted that agreements such as water-sharing are grounded in good neighbourliness — which cannot coexist with sustained terrorism.
“You cannot ask for cooperation in one area while actively harming us in another,” Jaishankar said. “If your neighbour behaves responsibly, it’s natural to reciprocate. But decades of hostility and terror do not allow for genuine cooperation.”
My interaction with students at @iitmadras #Chennai
https://t.co/9DcdQqJtf9— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) January 2, 2026
Views on Pakistan’s Military Leadership
The minister further addressed Pakistan’s army, referencing ongoing tensions. He noted that, much like there are good and bad terrorists, military leadership can also vary in effectiveness and intent. Analysts interpreted his comments as a pointed reference to Pakistan Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir.
Operation Sindoor and Escalation
The minister revisited the timeline of heightened India-Pakistan tensions after the Pahalgam attack. On May 7, India launched Operation Sindoor, striking multiple terror camps in Pakistan and PoK. Pakistan responded with missile and drone attacks, which were intercepted by Indian forces. Subsequently, India carried out targeted strikes on airfields in Pakistan, leading to a ceasefire announced on May 10.
Jaishankar’s remarks reiterate India’s firm stance: national security and the safety of citizens take precedence over external pressures or diplomatic narratives. His speech underlines the broader message that India will continue to act independently in defending its people while maintaining international norms where feasible.