External Affairs Minister Jaishankar warns Pakistan of “firm response”; meets with Iranian and Saudi counterparts in New Delhi

NEW DELHI (TIP): Pakistan’s military actions will be met with a “very, very firm response”, said External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Thursday, May 8. Mr Jaishankar conveyed this to his Iranian counterpart Seyed Abbas Araghchi during the 20th India–Iran Joint Commission Meeting held in New Delhi. He also hosted Saudi Arabia’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Adel al – Jubeir before meeting the Iranian delegation.

“Our response was targeted and measured. It is not our intention to escalate this situation. However, if there are military attacks on us, there should be no doubt that it will be met with a very, very firm response,” said Mr. Jaishankar.

Mr. Araghchi had earlier called for de-escalation of tension between India and Pakistan. Mr. Jaishankar described the April 22 Pahalgam attack as a “particularly barbaric terrorist attack”.

Earlier, in a sign of quick-footed diplomacy, Mr. Al Jubeir arrived in New Delhi on Wednesday, May 7 night. His arrival coincided with the arrival of the Iranian Foreign Minister who was here for a day-long visit in the backdrop of India hitting terror targets inside Pakistan on Wednesday, May 7.

“A good meeting with Adel Al Jubeir, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs of Saudi Arabia this morning. Shared India’s perspective on firmly countering terrorism,” said the External Affairs Minister after meeting with Mr. Al Jubeir. Official sources said. India did not seek mediation from either Saudi Arabia or Iran.

India had briefed a number of foreign envoys about its findings into the Pahalgam attack and Saudi Arabia was among those countries whose envoys were kept informed by the Indian officials. Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar had also spoken to Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal Bin Farhan after India assured action following the Pahalgam terror attack.