Asserting that terrorism will eventually come back to haunt the West, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Wednesday reminded the European countries that world’s most wanted terrorist, 9/11 mastermind and Al-Qaeda Chief Osama bin Laden lived safely in Pakistan for many years.
In an interview to a European news website, Jaishankar said, “Let me remind you (west) of something – there was a man named Osama bin Laden. Why did he, of all people, feel safe living for years in a Pakistani military town, right next to their equivalent of West Point?”
Recalling an attempt made by Pakistan to occupy Jammu and Kashmir in 1947 by sending Kabali raiders, Jaishankar said, “India has the longest-standing grievance – our borders were violated just months after independence, when Pakistan sent in invaders to Kashmir. And the countries that were most supportive of that? Western countries.”
“If those same countries – who were evasive or reticent then – now say ‘let’s have a great conversation about international principles’, I think I’m justified in asking them to reflect on their own past,” he added.
The EAM while referring to recent confrontation between India and Pakistan said, “It was not just a mere conflict between two neighbours, but it was about combating terrorism, which will eventually come back to haunt the West.”
He said that he wants world to understand that this isn’t merely an India–Pakistan issue. It’s about terrorism.
Jaishankar castigated international media for framing “Operation Sindoor” as a tit-for-tat between two nuclear-armed neighbours.
Pertinently, tensions between India and Pakistan escalated after the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that left 26 civilians, mostly tourists dead. India carried out precision strikes on terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir on May 7 and destroyed nine terrorist camps. The hostilities between Indian and Pakistan sides lasted for four days ended with an understanding of stopping the military actions following talks between the DGMOs of both sides on May 10—(KNO)
