EAM S Jaishankar criticised European nations for failing to denounce this terrorism
Maintaining that the world often looks away, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has said he could have used "much harsher words than epicenter" for Pakistan regarding its involvement in encouraging cross-border terrorism.

He has also criticised European nations for failing to denounce this terrorism.

In an interview with Austria's public broadcaster ORF on Monday, EAM Jaishankar, who has frequently referred to Pakistan as the "epicenter of terrorism," said, "Because you are a diplomat, doesn't mean you are untruthful. I could use much harsher words than epicenter. So, believe me, considering what has been happening to us, I think epicenter is a very diplomatic word."

"This is a country which has attacked the Parliament of India some years ago, which attacked the city of Mumbai, which went after hotels and foreign tourists, which every day sends terrorists across the border...," he added.

Furthermore, EAM Jaishankar criticized European countries for failing to denounce the terrorism that has been in existence for many decades.

"If the terrorist camps operate in broad daylight in cities, with recruitment and financing, can you really tell me that the Pakistani state doesn't know what's going on? Especially if they're being trained in military-level combat tactics?"

"So, when we speak about judgments and principles, why don't I hear sharp European condemnation of these practices which have been going on for multiple decades?" he added.

When asked if there should be any fear that India and Pakistan would one day go to war, he responded by saying that terrorism is something about which the entire world should be concerned.

"I think the world has to be concerned that there is terrorism going on and the world often looks away. The world often feels it's not my problem because it's happening to some other country. I think the world needs to be concerned about how sincerely and strongly it takes up the challenge of terrorists…," he said.

Earlier, speaking at the press conference alongside his Austrian counterpart Alexander Schallenberg, EAM Jaishankar stated that the effects of terrorism cannot be contained within a region.

As part of a two-nation visit, EAM Jaishankar is now in Austria after visiting Cyprus. His visit to Austria in 2023 marks the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two nations. This is also the first visit by the External Affairs Minister to Austria in the last 27 years.