External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar recently spoke strongly about Pakistan, calling it a “bad neighbour” and accusing it of continuing to support terrorism. He said India has every right to protect its citizens and take all necessary steps to defend itself against threats from neighbours that engage in violent acts. His comments were made during an event at IIT Madras on Friday and highlight India’s new approach to national security and retaliation.
Jaishankar said India would not accept advice from other countries on how it should respond to terrorism. “But when it comes to bad neighbours who persist with terrorism, India has every right to defend its people and will do whatever is necessary. You cannot request us to share our water with you and also spread terrorism in our country,” he said.
The minister’s remarks are being seen as a clear signal of India’s tougher stance against terrorism and its emphasis on self-reliance in security matters. By openly describing Pakistan as a bad neighbour, Jaishankar underlined that India’s decisions on defence and retaliation are entirely sovereign.
Jaishankar’s speech reflects a shift in India’s strategy from signaling intent to showing readiness for action. He referred to Operation Sindoor, indicating that India has already taken steps to respond to terrorist threats, moving beyond warnings to operational measures.
He emphasized that India’s neighbourhood policy is guided by both pragmatism and cooperation. India works closely with neighbours who engage constructively. For example, during his recent visit to Bangladesh, Jaishankar represented India at the funeral of former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia.
Jaishankar also highlighted India’s support to neighbouring countries during crises. During COVID-19, India shared vaccines with countries in the region. It provided fuel and food during the Ukraine conflict. India also gave $4 billion to help Sri Lanka during its financial crisis. He said, “India’s growth is a lifting tide for the region, and most of our neighbours recognise that if India grows, they grow with us.”
However, he clarified that when it comes to responding to terrorism, the decisions are made solely by India. “How we exercise that right is up to us. Nobody can tell us what we should or should not do. We will do whatever we have to do to defend ourselves,” Jaishankar said.
The minister stressed that India’s approach is not about aggression but about protecting its people from deliberate and persistent threats. This approach is part of what analysts call India’s “new retaliation doctrine,” where military or punitive actions are treated as a legitimate response to terrorism rather than a last resort.
Jaishankar spoke in detail about Pakistan’s role in supporting terrorism. He said that while countries can face difficult neighbours, India’s situation is worsened when terrorism is deliberately used as a state policy. “If a country decides that it will deliberately, persistently and unrepentantly continue with terrorism, we have a right to defend our people against terrorism. We will exercise that right,” he said.
The remarks also came in the context of recent attacks on Indian soil. In April 2025, terrorists supported by Pakistan attacked tourists in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, killing several people. Following this, India announced several punitive measures, including suspending the Indus Waters Treaty, a major agreement that governs water sharing between India and Pakistan. This marked one of the lowest points in India-Pakistan relations in recent years.
Jaishankar said that India will continue to work with neighbours that act constructively, but it will not compromise on its security. By publicly highlighting Pakistan’s support for terrorism and India’s right to respond, the minister signaled that New Delhi is ready to take firm action when needed.
Experts note that Jaishankar’s comments show a move from reactive diplomacy to proactive operational planning. India is making it clear that it will defend its citizens and national interests firmly, and that any support for terrorism will be met with decisive measures.
In conclusion, Jaishankar’s speech at IIT Madras highlighted two key points: India will continue to cooperate with good neighbours for mutual growth, and it will respond firmly to any country that threatens its security. His “bad neighbour” remark reflects a new doctrine in Indian foreign policy, where national security decisions are made independently, and retaliation against terrorism is a legitimate and standardised response.
This approach is expected to guide India’s foreign and security policy in the coming years, especially in dealing with Pakistan and other threats in the region. By balancing constructive engagement with readiness to respond, India aims to protect its people while maintaining regional stability.
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