Mumbai: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday said India expects its international partners to show zero tolerance towards terrorism, while asserting the country's right to defend itself against such threats. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, meanwhile, defended Washington's continued diplomatic engagement with Pakistan, saying it could help discourage activities that concern India.
Jaishankar made the remarks at a Freedom 250 reception hosted in Mumbai to commemorate the 250th anniversary of American independence, alongside Rubio and US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor.
Jaishankar thanked Rubio for laying a wreath at the Taj Hotel's 26/11 Memorial and welcomed the US administration's decision to extradite Tahawwur Hussain Rana, whom he described as one of the key culprits in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks.
“We are clear on our right to defend ourselves against terrorism and expect our partners to show zero tolerance towards terrorism as well,” Jaishankar said.
In an interview with Network18, Rubio said the US opposed terrorism and anyone who sponsors it, while explaining why Washington maintained ties with Islamabad despite differences.
“We're against terrorism anywhere in the world. We're against anybody who sponsors terrorism,” Rubio said.
He argued that continued engagement with Pakistan could give Washington leverage to discourage activities that concern New Delhi.
“And I think, in a way, it could be a positive thing because if we have a relationship and we can speak to them, it could perhaps help us. It perhaps puts us in a position to help discourage the kinds of things that India is worried about,” he said.
Rubio said Pakistan's nuclear arsenal and geographical position made diplomatic engagement necessary for the US. He added that managing relationships with countries despite disagreements was part of his responsibilities as Secretary of State.
“In the case of Pakistan, it's a country that we have to have a relationship with. It's a country that possesses nuclear weapons,” Rubio said, adding that the US needed to interact with Pakistan in much the same way India maintained relations with Iran.
Jaishankar said the global order was undergoing a transition and that expanding areas of convergence was important to strengthening India-US ties.
He highlighted opportunities for cooperation in commerce, investment, technology and energy, as well as shared responsibilities in promoting regional peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific.
Jaishankar also cited initiatives such as the Quad, Mission 500, Pax Silica and the Forge Initiative as examples of the expanding partnership, adding that cooperation in energy, defence and civil aviation had grown significantly.
He said Mumbai was an appropriate venue for the celebrations, given its role as India's financial capital and a hub for commerce, research, technology and cultural exchange with the US.