The foreign minister has dismissed speculation about a potential nuclear escalation in South Asia
Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has dismissed speculation about a potential nuclear escalation with Pakistan, stating that “at no point was a nuclear level reached,” calling the claims “astonishing.”
In a recent interview with the German newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, Jaishankar suggested that Europe should focus on its own security concerns. He also stressed that European perspectives on conflicts often differ from those of countries in other parts of the world.
“There is a narrative as if everything that happens in our part of the world leads directly to a nuclear problem. That disturbs me a lot because it encourages terrible activities like terrorism,” he said. “If anything, much more is happening with the nuclear issue in your part of the world.”
Jaishankar, who was visiting the Netherlands, Denmark, and Germany, was questioned by European outlets on the recent military standoff between India and Pakistan, which ended on May 10 after the two countries announced a ceasefire.
“Anyone who is not blind can see that the terrorist organizations are openly operating from the cities and towns of Pakistan. That is no secret. The UN Security Council terror list is full of Pakistani names and places, and these are the very places we have targeted,” he said.
India’s military action was in response to the April 22 attack in India’s union territory of Jammu and Kashmir, which claimed the lives of 26 people, mostly tourists. New Delhi stated that it only targeted nine locations which it said were linked with terrorist organizations, and not Pakistani military or civilian targets. Islamabad, however, accused India of targeting civilians. Pakistan retaliated by attacking Indian military sites, leading to further escalation by both countries.
Asked whether the world should thank America for the ceasefire, in reference to US President Donald Trump’s claims on the matter, Jaishankar said: “The cessation of firing was agreed between the military commanders of both sides through direct contact. The morning before, we effectively hit and incapacitated Pakistan’s main airbases and air defense system. So who should I thank for the cessation of hostilities? I thank the Indian military because it was the Indian military action that made Pakistan say: We are ready to stop.”
Addressing the difference in views between India and Germany with regard to Russia, Jaishankar suggested that Europe and Asia do not share the same concerns. “Our perspective cannot be the same.”
In an interview with Dutch broadcaster NOS last week, Jaishankar said Europe is undergoing a “reality check,” as it was never compelled to make a choice between security and prosperity. India’s historical experience has been shaped since independence by its difficult neighbors, particularly Pakistan and China, which has forced the country to prioritize security, he stressed. “We have never had the comfort and continuity that Europe enjoyed.”
