India's Foreign Minister Declares Counter-Terrorism as Non-Negotiable Global Imperative

In a definitive address at the second India-Arab Foreign Ministers' Meeting, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar articulated a robust counter-terrorism doctrine, positioning zero-tolerance as an uncompromising universal norm. The statement represents a significant diplomatic assertion, framing terrorism not as a regional concern but as a fundamental challenge to global order requiring collective, unequivocal condemnation. Jaishankar's remarks underscore a strategic alignment with Arab nations, emphasizing shared security imperatives and the legitimacy of defensive measures. He explicitly affirmed the inherent right of targeted societies to defend themselves, a principle he noted would be 'understandably exercised.' This formulation advances a clear normative framework, rejecting moral equivalence and asserting the primacy of state sovereignty in combating asymmetric threats. The address signals India's intent to shape international counter-terrorism discourse, advocating for a unified, principled stance that transcends geopolitical divisions. Analytically, the language reflects a hardening of diplomatic posture, seeking to consolidate a coalition of nations around a security-first agenda and delegitimize any justification for terrorist activities. The emphasis on universal applicability challenges selective approaches to terrorism, positioning it as a core component of contemporary statecraft and global governance.