MP Biplab Kumar Deb Attends Parliamentary Standing Committee Meeting in Kochi
India Has Right to Defend Itself from Terrorism: Jaishankar
Jan 02, 2026External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Friday asserted that India has the sovereign right to defend itself against terrorism and that no external power can dictate how the country exercises its defence. Speaking at the inauguration of Shaastra 2026, the techno-entertainment festival at IIT Madras in Chennai, he said India would do whatever is necessary to protect its security.
Outlining India’s neighbourhood policy, Jaishankar emphasised that persistent cross-border terrorism from hostile neighbours erodes trust and undermines cooperation. He noted that benefits such as water-sharing arrangements lose meaning when violence continues, as goodwill cannot coexist with terrorism.
Explaining India’s broader foreign policy outlook, the External Affairs Minister referred to the principle of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam—the world as one family—stating that India seeks to address global challenges through its national strengths and partnerships.
On regional developments, Jaishankar spoke about Bangladesh and mentioned his recent visit to Dhaka to attend the funeral of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia. He said India supports stable neighbours and believes that India’s economic growth can act as a rising tide, benefiting the entire region, including Bangladesh, especially during its election period.
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