'No Whitewashing, No Excuses': At SCO Meet, Jaishankar’s Message On Terrorism Days After Delhi Blast

Last Updated:November 18, 2025, 18:00 IST

Reiterating New Delhi’s demand for collective action, he told SCO leaders that combating terrorism must remain a shared priority with no space for tolerance

EAM S Jaishankar at SCO Summit in Moscow

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday delivered a sharp message on terrorism at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Russia, declaring that the world must show “zero tolerance" for the threat in all its forms and manifestations.

“There can be no justification, no looking away, no whitewashing of terrorism," he said, underscoring that India “has the right to defend its people against terrorism and will exercise it."

Reiterating New Delhi’s demand for collective, uncompromising action, he told SCO leaders that combating terrorism must remain a shared priority with no space for tolerance.

“It is imperative that the world displays zero tolerance to terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. There can be no justification, no looking away, no whitewashing of terrorism," Jaishankar said.

Notably, his sharp remarks come just days after the Centre directed that the November 10 car explosion near the Red Fort be treated as a terror attack and handed over the probe to the NIA.

Jaishankar, who began a three-day visit to Russia with his arrival in Moscow earlier in the day, is attending the SCO Heads of State Council meeting and holding a series of high-level engagements ahead of President Vladimir Putin’s expected visit to New Delhi next month.

Soon after landing, he met Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov for wide-ranging talks covering bilateral, regional and global issues, including cooperation in the SCO, BRICS, the UN and the G20, according to Russia’s state-run TASS agency.

During the meeting, Jaishankar noted the importance of frank exchanges amid a turbulent world order.

“We will also be exchanging views on the complex global situation with the openness that has always characterised our ties," he said, listing the Ukraine conflict, developments in the Middle East and the situation in Afghanistan among key areas of discussion.

India, he added, supports recent international efforts aimed at peace.

“An early cessation of the conflict and ensuring an enduring peace is in the interest of the entire international community."

He stressed that India-Russia relations have “long been a factor of stability in international relations," asserting that their continued growth is not only mutually beneficial but also contributes to global stability.

News world 'No Whitewashing, No Excuses': At SCO Meet, Jaishankar’s Message On Terrorism Days After Delhi Blast

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