Jaishankar in Berlin: India Won’t Bow to Nuclear Blackmail, Talks with Pakistan Will Stay Bilateral

May 23,2025: External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar firmly stated on Friday that India will not succumb to “nuclear blackmail” from Pakistan and emphasized that all engagement with its neighbor will remain strictly bilateral. Speaking at a joint press conference with German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul in Berlin, Jaishankar reiterated India’s zero-tolerance policy toward terrorism in light of the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed 26 lives.

“I came to Berlin in the immediate aftermath of India’s response to the Pahalgam terror attack. India has zero tolerance for terrorism. India will never give in to nuclear blackmail and will deal with Pakistan purely bilaterally. There should be no confusion on this,” Jaishankar said.

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German Foreign Minister Wadephul condemned the attack and expressed solidarity with India. “We were appalled by the brutal terrorist attack on April 22. India has every right to defend itself against terrorism. Our sympathies are with the victims and their families,” he stated.

Wadephul acknowledged the fragile truce currently in place between India and Pakistan, emphasizing the need for stability and dialogue. “We appreciate the existing truce and urge both sides to maintain it to enable bilateral solutions. Germany values its regular dialogue with India on counterterrorism and seeks to deepen that cooperation,” he added.

Earlier, Jaishankar met German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and conveyed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s greetings.

India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7 in response to the Pahalgam attack, striking terror infrastructure across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir. Over 100 terrorists from groups like Jaish-e-Mohammed, Lashkar-e-Taiba, and Hizbul Mujahideen were reportedly killed.

Pakistan retaliated with cross-border shelling and attempted drone strikes, prompting India to respond by damaging Pakistani radar systems, communication centers, and airfields at eight locations. A mutual ceasefire was agreed upon on May 10, bringing a temporary halt to the escalating conflict.