“Let’s Not Pretend”: Jaishankar Slams Pakistan’s Terror Links in Blistering Dutch Interview

The Hague: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has launched a blistering attack on Pakistan’s alleged support for terrorism, telling Dutch daily De Volkskrant that Islamabad and its military establishment are deeply complicit in harbouring and enabling terror groups. His remarks, made during an official visit to the Netherlands, mark one of his strongest public indictments of Pakistan on foreign soil.

In the wide-ranging interview published Thursday, Jaishankar rejected any suggestion that Pakistan might be unaware of terrorist networks operating from within its borders. “Let’s not pretend that Pakistan is not involved,” he said. “The state is involved. The army is up to its neck in it.”

Jaishankar’s comments come amid ongoing global efforts to counter extremism, and reflect India’s long-standing position that Pakistan remains a safe haven for internationally sanctioned terror organisations. “The most notorious terrorists on the United Nations (UN) sanctions list are all in Pakistan,” he pointed out. “They operate in the big cities, in broad daylight. Their addresses are known. Their activities are known. Their mutual contacts are known.”

Pressed on his earlier statement calling Pakistan the “epicentre of terrorism”, Jaishankar stood firm. “I am not suggesting that, I am stating that,” he said plainly.

To illustrate the implausibility of Pakistan’s denials, the minister drew a sharp analogy. “Suppose there were large military centres in the middle of a city like Amsterdam where tens of thousands of people gathered for military training — would you say your government knows nothing about that? Of course not,” he told the Dutch publication.

He also took a moment to commend India’s security forces for their efforts in counter-terror operations, particularly citing Operation Sindoor, which he said deserves global appreciation.