India's External Affairs Minister, Dr. S Jaishankar, delivered a sharp critique of Western nations, accusing them of hypocrisy and offering unsolicited advice regarding India's national security actions. His comments, made during an interaction with the Indian community in Luxembourg, specifically referenced Operation Sindoor, India's military response launched in May 2025 following the deadly Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 civilian lives.
"Look At Your Own Region": Jaishankar's Retort to Critics
Jaishankar expressed India's weariness with what he termed "free advice" from foreign capitals during sensitive security operations. He recalled that several nations offered commentary on Operation Sindoor, prompting a blunt response from New Delhi. "Sometimes you hear people say, like it happened during Operation Sindoor. Now if you ask them, say, 'oh really you're worried, why don't you look at your own region? And ask yourself, what are the levels of violence there?'" Jaishankar stated.
He elaborated that such advice often lacks genuine concern or understanding of ground realities. "People, what they say is not what they do," he added, highlighting a disconnect between rhetoric and action in international diplomacy. The minister underscored that in the contemporary world, nations primarily act based on direct self-interest, even when couching interventions as benevolent counsel.
India's Pragmatic Engagement: A Dual-Track Approach
Outlining India's foreign policy philosophy, Jaishankar emphasized a pragmatic and differentiated approach to international engagement. "So those who are willing to work with us and be helpful, positive, we have to deal with them in that way," he explained. This stance was directly contrasted with how India deals with adversarial actions, explicitly mentioning Pakistan. "Those who do the kind of things which Pakistan does, we have to deal with it in a different way," he asserted, without elaborating further.
This commentary comes against the backdrop of claims by former US President Donald Trump that Washington mediated the India-Pakistan ceasefire in May 2025. India has consistently rejected this assertion, maintaining that the military pause followed a direct request from Pakistan’s Director General of Military Operations to his Indian counterpart, with no third-party involvement.
Venezuela Crisis: India Prioritizes Safety of People
Shifting focus to another global hotspot, Jaishankar addressed the crisis in Venezuela following US military operations that led to the capture and removal of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife. He stated that India's primary concern is the welfare of the Venezuelan people. "We are concerned about the developments, but we would really urge all the parties involved to now sit down and come to a position which is in the interest of the well-being and safety of the people of Venezuela," he said.
Reaffirming India's long-standing positive relations with Venezuela, Jaishankar expressed hope for a peaceful resolution. "We would like the people to come out well, whatever the direction of events," he added, underscoring a principled, people-centric approach to foreign policy amidst complex geopolitical maneuvers.
Jaishankar's remarks in Luxembourg collectively paint a picture of a confident India, determined to safeguard its security interests on its own terms while calling out perceived double standards in the international order. The minister's direct language signals a continued shift towards a more assertive and clear-eyed diplomatic posture.
